Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Eureka’s Kellina Pratton in action on Saturday night.

By Ray Hamill — Two crosstown rivals and their fans already appear to be in playoff form, as they combined to serve up a loud, physical, hard-fought thriller at Jay Williard Gymnasium on Saturday night.

It was especially enjoyable for St. Bernard’s, which got the better of Eureka for the first time in five years, a run that included nine straight losses.

More importantly, this was an entertaining display of basketball, with both teams battling hard all the way.

The Crusaders won 53-50, taking control of the game with a dominant second half and a performance that suggested they were tired of losing to their neighbors.

Check out some of the second-half highlights here.

For more on the game, see St. Bernard’s seniors end long losing streak against Eureka …