Basketball Game Preview: Willows Honkers vs. Pierce Bears

Willows is on a nine-game streak of home losses also dating back to last season, Pierce an eight-game streak of away losses also dating back to last season, but someone's luck will change on Friday. The Willows Honkers will host the Pierce Bears at 8:00 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.

On Wednesday, Willows was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 52-48 to Paradise. While losing is never fun, the Honkers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 1386th, while the Bobcats are ranked 677th).

Meanwhile, Pierce played a tough contest on Monday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They were beaten by Winters 56-27. The game marked the Bears' lowest-scoring matchup so far this season.

Willows will need focus on slowing down Calvin Bair, one of several Pierce players who made an impact when they last played. He posted 12 points and seven rebounds. Another player making a difference was Devin Garcia, who had seven points and five boards.

Willows' loss dropped their record down to 1-17. As for Pierce, their defeat dropped their record down to 8-15.

Willows was dealt a bruising 71-41 loss at the hands of Pierce when the teams last played on January 10th. That contest was all but decided by halftime, at which point Willows was down 38-14.