Banning Pilots (Wilmington, CA) backers were in high spirits Wednesday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the host Hawthorne Cougars (Hawthorne, CA), 57-49 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Banning upgrades its record to 5-2 on the season. The Pilots travel to Gardena (Gardena, CA) to play the Panthers in a Marine bout on Friday, December 9. The Panthers go into the bout with a record of 4-4. Gardena lost 59-54 in their recent non-league bout against Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates, CA)

Next up, the Cougars play the Dymally Challengers (Los Angeles, CA) in a non-league bout, on Friday, December 9. Hawthorne will attempt to upgrade on its 3-2 season record. The Challengers go into the bout with a 0-4 record after their 67-35 league loss to Jordan (Los Angeles, CA).