Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Eureka girls in action against Grants Pass on Wednesday.

By Ray Hamill — It’s time for our first power rankings of the season in girls basketball, and there’s no surprise who’s No. 1.

Despite a loss to Grants Pass on Wednesday, the Eureka girls have been the most impressive of all the H-DNL teams so far, battling through a tough schedule and going 3-0 against other local teams.

The St. Bernard’s girls, meanwhile, are coming off two losses at the Berean Christian tournament this week, but they were missing a couple of key players and it doesn’t take from what has been a very impressive start to the new season.

The Crusaders are also 3-0 against local opposition.

A young Arcata team has also impressed early in the season, as have the Huskies, who are coming together and should continue to improve as we inch closer to the Big 5 schedule.

Rounding out this week’s top five are the Ferndale Wildcats.

Bigger challenges await the Cats, but all they’ve done so far is win, win, win.

POWER RANKINGS

1 — Eureka (9-4)

The Loggers have fantastic team depth.

2 — St. Bernard’s (6-2)

Knocked off three straight Big 5 opponents to tip off the season.

3 — Arcata (5-4)

A talented sophomore class is having a big impact quicker than expected.

4 — Fortuna (6-6)

The Huskies have won three of their last four, including a win over McKinleyville.

5 — Ferndale (7-0)

The Cats have already won two tournaments.