Preview: Opening Weekend

The long road to the CCAA National Championship starts with a long road trip to Penticton to face the Coyotes

VIU Mariners vs Okanagan Coyotes Basketball
VIU point guard Ryan Bastian sets up the attack during an October 2024 game versus the Okanagan College Coyotes. Photo: Mary Kessenich
October 17, 2025

The VIU Mariners know they will take part in the 2026 CCAA Men's Basketball National Championships as hosts. The path to be in peak form at that time starts with a road trip to the BC Interior and games against the Okanagan College Coyotes.

When & Where

  • Friday, October 17 at Okanagan College, Penticton, BC, 7 pm. 
  • Saturday, October 18 at Okanagan College, Penticton, BC, 1 pm. 
  • *Most previous games at Okanagan College have been in Kelowna. 

Tune In

Games are streamed on the Okangan College Coyotes Basketball YouTube page.

Head-To-Head in 2024-25

The Mariners won big against the Coyotes to start the 2024-25 season with 100-58 and 94-74 victories at home. The January rematches in Kelowna also went the way of the Mariners: 116-69 and 96-75.

Watch Out Now

Okanagan: Fifth-year guard Brandon Porter and fourth-year guard Cam Sale are OC's most experienced players and they have some height in the form of 6'9" forward Phil Holmes Jr. from Chicago, Illinois.

VIU: Guard Winston Cole (Seattle, WA) looks to be a big point-getter for the Mariners while PACWEST all-star Kai Leighton will steer the ship.

Fresh Faced First Years

There is one rookie on the VIU roster: 6'6" forward Ty Cyr (Port Alberni, BC). 

Transfers

  • Winston Cole (Seattle, WA) transfers to VIU after a season with Florida Memorial University. He also spent two seasons in the NWAC in Washington State.
  • Levi Van Egdom (Chilliwack, BC), a sharpshooting guard with plenty of leadership traits, joins the Mariners after spending three seasons with Columbia Bible College. 
  • Ekman Sohal (Surrey, BC) brings his 6'7" height and scoring ability to VIU after spending two seasons with Douglas College.

Fifth Years

Kai Leighton is the sole fifth-year on this year's squad.

'Round the World

Cole is the only international student-athlete on the roster.

For more information, please contact VIU Mariners Communications & Sports Information Coordinator Matt Carter.