Basketball Game Preview: Ilwaco Fishermen vs. North Beach Hyaks

Ilwaco is on a three-game streak of home losses, North Beach a three-game streak of away losses, but someone's luck will change on Friday. The Ilwaco Fishermen will host the North Beach Hyaks at 7:00 p.m. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.

It's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 63-34, which was the final score in Ilwaco's tilt against Forks on Wednesday. While losing is never fun, the Fishermen can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Washington basketball rankings (they are ranked 302nd, while the Spartans are ranked 119th).

Meanwhile, North Beach suffered their closest defeat since January 31, 2024 on Wednesday. They fell just short of Chief Leschi by a score of 60-57.

North Beach's loss dropped their record down to 3-12. As for Ilwaco, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-10.

Everything came up roses for Ilwaco against North Beach when the teams last played on January 7th, as the squad secured a 70-36 win. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was North Beach's JJ Eastman, who dropped a double-double on 16 points and 14 boards. Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Ilwaco still be able to contain Eastman? There's only one way to find out.