Basketball Game Preview: Central Kitsap Cougars vs. River Ridge Hawks

The Central Kitsap Cougars will face off against the River Ridge Hawks at 7:15 p.m. on Friday. Central Kitsap is coming into the contest hot, having won their last four games.

On Wednesday, Central Kitsap beat Lincoln 61-50.

Meanwhile, River Ridge suffered their biggest defeat since January 19, 2024 on Wednesday. They lost 66-45 to North Thurston. The Hawks have struggled against the Rams recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive lost matchup.

Central Kitsap will have to keep a close watch on Brandi Stanford and Makiah Wilbourn, a pair of players who had a big impact on River Ridge's prior game. Stanford posted 12 points along with five assists and five steals, while Wilbourn earned nine points and four steals. Stanford is crushing it when it comes to steals: she's grabbed at least four every time she's taken the court this season.

Central Kitsap has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six games, which provided a nice bump to their 9-4 record this season. As for River Ridge, their loss ended a three-game streak of away wins and brought them to 8-4.

Central Kitsap didn't have too much breathing room in their matchup against River Ridge when the teams last played back in January of 2024, but they still walked away with a 49-43 win. Will Central Kitsap repeat their success, or does River Ridge have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.