Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Eureka boys celebrate their win over Fortuna on Saturday.

The Eureka boys are building some momentum, especially on defense.

On Saturday afternoon, the Loggers won for the third time in four games, getting the better of Fortuna 59-56 to close out the Logger Classic.

“Our defense was excellent all game,” head coach Jimmy Rodgers said. 

Hans Chalmers scored a game-high 24 points and was named to the all-tournament team after another big performance at both ends of the court.

Caden Vance also continued to help set the tone for the team and finished with 18 points, as the Loggers improved to 4-8.

“The guys are really starting to buy into their roles and it showed last night and today,” said Rodgers, whose team also beat Brookings-Harbor 64-56 on Friday. “There was so much positive energy in the locker room and on the court.”

Jamin Guilbert continues to play a major role for the team in the paint and was “huge inside for us playing defense and getting rebounds,” according to the coach.

Three of the Eureka bench players also had a big impact in the fourth quarter, with each making some key plays to help the Loggers hold on down the stretch.

Evan Hodges scored a big 3-pointer, while Ean Savage came up with a key steal and Donovan Millender nailed some clutch free throws and also came up with some big steals.

RJ Rexford scored a team-high 20 points for the Huskies, while Alfonso Medina added 16 points and Jordin Bourne 10.

The Loggers are now off until after Christmas, when all three boys teams travel to Kelseyville on Dec. 29.

The Huskies play at Marin Academy on Thursday.

FRIDAY

Shasta 59, Fortuna 35

The Huskies also lost on Friday night and are now 5-5 on the season after closing out tournament play 1-2.

Rexford scored a team-high 10 points on Friday and Medina added nine points.

The Wolves took control of the game early and led 28-16 at halftime.