SIDNEY — When Houston boys basketball team travels to Lehman Catholic Saturday night, it will not be just another basketball game.
It will be for family bragging rights for the two players wearing number 20.
In the white jersey for Lehman Catholic will be senior Dylan Arnold.
Wearing the red jersey for Houston will be his brother — senior Cameron Arnold.
“It is the most fun game of the year,” Dylan Arnold said. “Without a doubt.”
Cameron Arnold agrees.
“It is a game I look forward to,” he said. “There will definitely be some talking going on during the game.”
Two years ago when they were sophomores, Lehman got the win.
“Actually, my older brother Austin (Arnold) was playing in that game as well for Lehman,” Cameron Arnold said. “So, I was going up against both of them.”
Last year, Cameron got a little revenge with the Wildcats getting the win.
“He did a little talking after the game,” Dylan Arnold said. “Just about how it was tied 1-1.”
Cameron Arnold had mixed emotions after that game.
“I was happy we won the game, but I didn’t have a very good game personally,” he said. “So, I was a little upset about that. Dylan (Arnold) had a good game and I didn’t. So, when we got home, about the only thing I said was about us winning the game. There really wasn’t much else for me to say about that game.”
And if the past is any indication, the two will see plenty of each other Saturday night.
“It seems like that is the way it usually works out,” Dylan Arnold said. “I usually end up guarding him and he usually ends up guarding me.”
Cameron doesn’t quite remember that way.
“Dylan (Arnold) was guarding me most of the time,” Cameron said. “But, I wasn’t guarding him that much.”
But, there is always plenty of chatter.
“We will say stuff like how much we are going to score on each other and how we are going to win the game — things like that,” Dylan said. “It is kind of like when we were younger, playing on the driveway.”
At the same time, both realize it is a team game.
“For me, it is all about the team,” Cameron Arnold said. “I would rather not score and our team win — then drop 35 on him and lose the game. The way it see it, it is tied 1-1 — this for the series. This is it. I don’t think you can look at it any other way.”
And whoever wins gets the ultimate prize — bragging rights for a lifetime.
