River Ridge Wildcats (Hanover, IL) backers were pleased Thursday as they saw their basketball squad hold off the visiting Stockton Blackhawks (Stockton, IL), 40-36 in a league bout.

With the victory, River Ridge upgrades its record to 14-10 on the campaign. The Wildcats travel to Lena-Winslow (Lena, IL) to play the Panthers in a non-league bout on Saturday, February 3. The Panthers come into the bout with a record of 16-7. Lena-Winslow won 53-48 in their recent non-league bout against Orangeville (Orangeville, IL)

Next up, the Blackhawks play the East Dubuque Warriors (East Dubuque, IL) in a Northwest Upstate Illini - West bout, on Wednesday, February 7. Stockton will attempt to upgrade on its 7-15 season record. The Warriors go into the test with a 15-11 record after their 66-50 league win over River Ridge (Hanover, IL).