Fear the Reapers.
Blue Oyster Cult may have encouraged to (Don't Fear) The Reaper in its classic 1976 rock anthem song, hilariously parodied by Saturday Night Live in 2000 in the 'More Cowbell' sketch, but the North Okanagan's newly minted junior lacrosse team hopes to strike fear in its opponents.
The team formerly known as the Vernon Iron Ghost Construction Tigers underwent an identity change following the 2024 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League season, and are now called the North Okanagan Iron Ghost Construction Reapers.
"League policy says when you merge two teams, within two years you have to change the team name," said Reapers' assistant governor Jacob Kuiken.
The Tigers and the Armstrong Junior Shamrocks merged prior to 2023 as the Shamrocks were not able to field a full team that year. Players from Armstrong and Salmon Arm suited up with the Tigers the past two seasons.
"Our players this year are mostly from Vernon and Armstrong, with some from the Shuswap, Salmon Arm, and Enderby area," said Kuiken.
The team will play its eight home games at the Sunbelt Arena (formerly Nor-Val Sports Centre) in Armstrong, according to the league schedule.
One thing that hasn't changed is the team's main sponsor.
"Trevor McEachnie at Iron Ghost Construction has been phenomenal," said Kuiken. "We certainly appreciate his support and dedication to junior lacrosse."
The Reapers are looking to improve upon a 7-8-1 record in 2024 that was good for second place in the five-team league. They eliminated the South Okanagan Flames in three games in the semifinals before being swept in the championship series, 3-0, by the regular season champion Kamloops Venom.
The Kelowna Kodiaks and Cranbrook Blackwolves round out the teams. The Castlegar-based West Kootenay Avalanche is expected to play exhibition games against TOJLL opposition during the year.
The regular-season begins April 5 with the Reapers starting on the road in Penticton against the Flames (7 p.m. start).
North Okanagan's home opener will be Saturday, April 12, at the Sunbelt Arena in Armstrong against the Kodiaks (7 p.m. start).
Each team plays a 16-game schedule, four games against the other squads, two at home and two on the road.
The league's All-Star Game will be played Saturday, June 14, 7 p.m., in Penticton.
The final day of the regular season is Sunday, July 6.
The Reapers return league Coach of the Year in 2024, Casey Sherriff, behind the bench. League Rookie of the Year in '24, Kian Yargeau, is coming off a 62-point season (29 goals, 33 assists), good for third overall in the league.
North Okanagan also returns the league's top goalie from a year ago in Ryley Lockhurst, who recorded 502 saves in 2024, more than 100 ahead of his nearest rival.
The Reapers also had Tina Campbell in 2024, winner of the league's Volunteer of the Year honour, and the team is looking for volunteers to help with game nights. Anyone interested can call Kuiken at 250-241-1854.