It was win or call it a season for the St. Tim Thunder boys basketball team last night.

A fired-up squad came from behind in the fourth quarter to claim a narrow 69-68 win against the St. Martin de Porres Kodiaks and now advance to the playoffs of the CSHSAA tier 3 senior basketball.

Both the Thunder and Kodiaks were in competition for the final playoff spot and this one game was the decider. In their previous meeting this season the Kodiaks won in double overtime.

Head coach was Katlyn Nelson was absolutely thrilled with the victory.

"I'm just so happy," says Nelson. "This is so big for them. They've worked so hard all season and it was life or death to go to the playoffs."

Aiden Phillips kills the clock. The lead bounced back and forth between the two teams in the close matchup.

She's especially happy for their four grade 12 players---Chad MacLean, Karl Ardrosa, Rylee Isley and Brendan Loeppky--in their last season with the team.

"It's a huge deal for these guys, especially my grade 12s. They did fantastic tonight."

It was the Thunders second win and they've had some tough matchups this season. There were some lopsided loses and both of their wins were close. Still, she says, they're pretty impressive.

"The great thing about this team is they never stop. They worked hard the whole way through, they never give up, they stop running, they never stop cheering. They just go and do what they have to do, no matter what."

Playoffs are like a brand new season and the team has a couple of weeks to prepare before they meet the Robert Thirsk Comets, the top team in their conference, in the first round on Mar. 6.

"It will be tough for us, but we'll make them work for it, no matter what."