Basketball Game Preview: Willow Canyon Wildcats vs. North Canyon Rattlers

Willow Canyon is 6-1 against North Canyon since January of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Thursday. The Willow Canyon Wildcats will take on the North Canyon Rattlers at 5:30 p.m. Willow Canyon is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 57.2 points per game this season.

Willow Canyon came up short against Arizona College Prep on Thursday, falling 57-37. The match marked the Wildcats' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Despite their defeat, Willow Canyon saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Kayla Preston, who posted six points along with 14 boards and three blocks, was perhaps the best of all. Preston is crushing it when it comes to boards: she's pulled down at least eight every time she's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Maya Marshall, who had eight points and 11 rebounds.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for North Canyon, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Thursday. They secured a 39-35 W over Desert Edge on Tuesday.

Willow Canyon's loss ended a six-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 3-2. As for North Canyon, they now have a winning record of 4-3.

Willow Canyon was able to grind out a solid victory over North Canyon in their previous meeting back in February of 2022, winning 42-34. Will Willow Canyon repeat their success, or does North Canyon have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.