Though the Laker basketball season at Southwestern Oregon Community College is now over, there will still be plenty of basketball excitement in the Prosper Hall gymnasium this coming week.

On Monday, the Harlem Wizards’ will return to Prosper Hall with their athletic talent as well as their ability to entertain crowds of all ages, something they have been doing for nearly five decades.

The Wizards began performing in 1962, and have played more than 6,000 games in the United States and abroad. They’ve performed on many different courts and stages around the world against opponents that have included celebrities, freestyle “ballers” and professional teams, each with a different twist to their show.

On Monday they will be taking on a team that may not match up with the physical bodies of most of the Wizard players.

“There’s been a lot of advertising around the school lately,” said Southwestern’s Director of Communications, Rick Osborn. “They’ll be playing against a team compiled of Southwestern students.”

While the Wizards have performed for colleges, corporations, communities and private events, they also have managed to raise millions of dollars for charities and non-profit organizations.

Admission to the event — sponsored by Southwestern Associated Student Government — will be one can of food per person. All food raised will be donated to local food cupboards.

“It’s a pretty entertaining time and I would really encourage everyone to attend,” Osborn said.

But the Harlem Wizards’ performance will not be the only basketball entertainment for the week.

On Tuesday, the International Basketball League will feature one of the highest level basketball contests ever to be played on the South Coast. The Portland Chinooks will take on the Central Oregon Hotshots in what should be a high scoring game.

“This is the first week that the IBL has played in Coos Bay,” said Karl Easttorp, the Director of the Recreation Center at Southwestern. “Everything about the game is entertaining and fast-paced.”

The Chinooks feature one of the most talented lineups outside of the NBA, and are led by David Lucas, a two-time All Pac-10 selection for the Oregon State Beavers. Lucas led the IBL with an average of 36.5 points last season. Also added to the line-up for the Chinooks this season is DaJuan Tate, who averaged 35.6 points for the Las Vegas Stars in 2007.

In all, Portland’s roster will include seven players who have earned IBL all-star honors in the past.

However, the Hotshots offensive firepower should match up well to Portland’s tandem of Lucas and Tate. Central Oregon led the league in scoring in 2007, with 146.8 points per game. The Hotshots will look to continue with their wide-open style of play behind returning two time all-star point guard Arthur Lewis. Terry Horton and Cliff White will be joining Lewis in the back-court, while dynamic six-foot 11 inch Phillip Freeman will anchor the middle for the Hotshots.

Each team comprises several IBL all-stars and other tremendous athletes who should put points up on the scoreboard at an exciting rate throughout the game.

“The IBL is full of players who are done with college and would ultimately like to play at the next level,” said Easttorp.

Admission for the game will be $10 for adults an $5 for youth, seniors and students with their college I.D. card. Tip-off will be 7 p.m. at the Prosper Hall gymnasium.

The week’s excitement will conclude on Wednesday, when the Chinooks will match up with the Shanxi Kylins — a Chinese professional team from the same league the produced Houston Rockets all-star Yao Ming. The Kylins will be making their first appearance in the IBL on Wednesday, and will be based at the U.S. Basketball Academy in Blue River for the remainder of the season.

The IBL may be creating a team for the 2009 season that would be called the Oregon Wave that would possibly play some of its games in Coos Bay.     

“I feel that having this level of basketball in Coos Bay is a great opportunity for families and everyone around,” Easttorp said. “There aren’t too many opportunities like this.”