Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Arcata Tigers are our team of the week.

By Ray Hamill — Eureka senior McKenna Beach and St. Bernard’s sophomore Seth Dyer both continued their impressive start to the new season at their respective tournaments this past weekend.

And that gets them the nod for our two athletes of the week, sponsored by College of the Redwoods Athletics.

Dyer was named MVP of the Mt. Shasta tournament, scoring 59 points in the Crusaders’ three wins, including some big-time 3-pointers.

Beach has been in stellar form this season, and was named all-tournament at the highly-competitive Maria Carrillo tournament after also scoring 59 points over three games.

Our team of the week, meanwhile, goes to the Arcata boys basketball team after the Tigers improved to 7-0 with three victories in three days on the way to winning their own tournament.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

McKenna Beach

Eureka, Senior

After putting up 24 points in a five-point loss to Maria Carrillo in Friday night’s semifinal, Beach scored 25 points in Saturday’s third-place game victory over St. Patrick/St. Vincent.

Beach has started the new season about as impressively as any player on the North Coast and has been leading the way on a deep and talented Eureka girls team that is expected to compete for a Big 5 title and more this winter.

Beach and the Loggers will be back in action at the McKinleyville tournament this week.

For on Beach and the Loggers, see Loggers impress on as good day for H-DNL teams …

Seth Dyer

St. Bernard’s, Sophomore

Dyer scored 19 of his 22 points against Mt. Shasta in the second half and nailed a big-time 3 with a minute remaining to break a tie.

“That’s what a big-time player does,” head coach Issac Gildea said.

The sophomore has had an immediate impact with the Crusaders this year and has played a pivotal role in the team’s 6-0 start.

For more on Dyer’ big week, see Double delight for Crusaders at Mt. Shasta …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Arcata Boys Basketball

The Tigers are making a case that they’re the best team on the North Coast early in the season.

On Saturday, they improved to 7-0 with their second straight tournament championship.

And they are achieving success with several players stepping up under the guidance of head coach Kellen Maynard.

Junior Brandon Bento-Jackson and senior Kai Purcell have each been named tourney MVPs the past two week, while teammates Shane Purcell, Alex Jioras, Luke Moxon, Sam Trewartha, Carson Tucker, Josiah Gomez and Isaiah Levy all contributing, among others.

This week, the Tigers will try to keep their impressive start going when they travel for the Red Bluff tournament, which tips off on Thursday.

For more on the Arcata boys’ big weekend, see Defensive intensity lifts Tigers to tourney championship …