The Arcata boys defeated McKinleyville on Saturday night.

By Ray Hamill – With all four local basketball conferences now in full swing, and the local prep wrestling season building momentum, there were once again plenty of options for this week’s Humboldt Sports Athletes and Team of the Week.

In boys basketball, George Navarro was in sensational form once again in leading Hoopa Valley to a tournament title at Etna, earning him the nod for one of this week’s Athletes of the Week.

Del Norte’s Kaleya Sanchez also enjoyed a big week for the Warriors, who continued to impress as they go in search of a breakthrough season.

The Arcata boys basketball team also had a big week, winning a pair of games to leave the Tigers tied with Fortuna atop the Big standings.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Photo by Jose Quezada/HumSport.com

Kaleya Sanchez

Del Norte Basketball, Senior

Sanchez has led the Warriors to an impressive 12-1 start to the season and has them in poll position to challenge for a first-ever Big 5 title.

The lone senior on a young starting lineup, Sanchez will be honored before Wednesday’s home game with Arcata for having surpassed 1,000 career points. 

For more on Sanchez’s big week, see Del Norte girls extra motivated in search of breakthrough season …

George Navarro

Hoopa Valley Basketball, Senior

Navarro is enjoying a sensational season and has been unstoppable, leading the H-DNL in points per game with 30.7.

The Hoopa Valley senior was named tournament MVP at Etna over the weekend after leading the Warriors to the championship, scoring 23 in the deciding game.

For more on Navarro’s big weekend, see Hoopa boys win Etna tournament …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Arcata Boys Basketball

The Tigers enjoyed a breakout week of sorts with a pair of big league wins to move them atop the Big 5 standings with Fortuna.

On Saturday night, the Tigers came away from rivals McKinleyville with an impressive win, turning in arguably their most complete team performance of the season so far.

For more on the Tigers’ big weekend, see Arcata boys hold their nerve in Big 5 clash at McKinleyville …