Basketball Game Preview: Pekin Dragons vs. Washington Panthers

Pekin hasn't had much luck against Washington recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Dragons will be playing at home against the Panthers at 7:00 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.

Pekin took a loss when they played away from home on Saturday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Monday. They enjoyed a cozy 58-42 win over Champaign Central. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Dragons' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 103rd, while the Maroons are ranked 224th).

Meanwhile, Washington entered their tilt with Limestone on Wednesday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They blew past the Rockets, posting an 89-27 victory. The Panthers have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won 15 contests by 20 points or more this season.

Pekin's win bumped their record up to 13-10. As for Washington, their victory bumped their record up to 20-1.

Pekin was taken down by Washington 81-30 when the teams last played back in December of 2025. Will the Dragons have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other basketball content.