The Washington Demon boys’ basketball team is looking to gift themselves a conference win just before Christmas as they host Fort Madison tonight in a game you can hear on KCII. Washington is trying to shake off a road loss to Southeast Conference rival Mount Pleasant where the Demons trailed by only a point going into the fourth quarter Friday but ultimately still fell 62-49. Senior Ethan Patterson’s high-scoring ways and senior Ajay Six’s double-double average were not enough to help Washington also beat Macon, Missouri on Saturday, as the Demons have dropped to 3-4 with three losses in their last five games. Head coach Collin Stark tells KCII Sports his team has to just keep fighting.

“Looking at the games that have been extremely close,” Stark says, “I think we’ve made big improvements, and hopefully this next one more practice before Christmas break and two games, [we will be] seeing what we can do ending this first half on a positive note.”

The Washington girls also take on Fort Madison on the road looking to take a share of first place in the conference. If the Demons avoid their third loss in the last four meeting with the Bloodhounds, they will remain at least tied for second in the league heading into the holidays. You can hear Washington boys’ basketball this evening on 106.1 FM KCII, with coverage beginning on the Washington Hy-Vee Pregame Show at 7.