Basketball

Eureka girls gain valuable experience at West Coast Jamboree

Submitted photo – The Eureka girls appear on the Jumbotron at the Chase Center in San Francisco, while watching the Golden State Warriors play this week.

The Eureka Loggers finished up the West Coast Jamboree with a 69-58 loss to Piedmont on Thursday, closing out tourney play 1-2.

The Loggers, who are 10-6 as they get set to open league play next week, began the tournament with a 33-29 win over Kimball on Tuesday and followed that with a 51-37 loss to Acalanes on Wednesday.

“I thought it was a great experience for the girls,” head coach Mike Harvey said of the tournament. “To see the speed of play and physicality, it helps prepare us for league and that’s the goal.

“And we played some very good teams, and that’s what we want.”

Aniah Gaither was named all-tournament after three strong games, including a 21-point performance against Acalanes, as she continues to play a key role this season for the Big 5 favorites.

McKenna Beach also continued to impress and had a big showing on Thursday in what was the team’s best game of the tournament.

Kira Morris also had a big tournament and scored a team-high 11 points against Kimball in what was a low-scoring defensive game.

“Kira had an excellent tournament,” Harvey said. “She did good in all three games and I was really pleased with her effort and her results on the court. Kira was exceptional all three days.”

The consistent Mariah Napoleon also continues to impress, especially at the defensive end, where she has taken on a pivotal role for the team this season.

The Loggers, who open the Big 5 at home to Del Norte on Wednesday night, went to a Golden State Warriors game while they were in the Bay Area for the prestigious tournament, after the NBA team comped them tickets.

“The girls had a blast at the Warriors game,” Harvey said.

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