Submitted photo – The Ferndale Wildcats are now 4-0 against H-DNL opponents this season.
By Ray Hamill — There’s a new No. 1 in our power rankings this week after a stunning result at Ferndale on Tuesday night.
The high-flying Wildcats jump one place into the top spot in this week’s rankings after knocking off Big 5 leaders Eureka, 53-46.
The two H-DNL frontrunners could very well meet again in the Dick Niclai tournament, but for now the Cats have bragging rights as they march toward a Little 4 championship.
The Wildcats are now 12-2 on the season and 4-0 against H-DNL teams.
Ferndale still has to play a dangerous St. Bernard’s team a second time in league play next Thursday and that’s a matchup local fans won’t want to miss and one that could very well decide the fate of the Little 4 pennant.
The Crusaders, meanwhile, got back to winning ways against South Fork earlier this week, before falling hard to Arcata on Saturday night after having beaten the Tigers earlier in the season.
In reality, there’s little to separate SB, Arcata, Fortuna and McKinleyville, any one of which appears capable of beating any of the others on any given night.
Fortuna did beat Mack this week for the second time in three matchups this season, but they also fell to Arcata, and both games were close and exciting.
The Tigers do have a win over McKinleyville earlier in the season and they will play them again on back-to-back nights on Monday and Tuesday.
It should be a fascinating battle between these three teams in the coming weeks in the race for the second and third Big 5 Niclai spots.
Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Fortuna and Arcata girls met at Arcata on Wednesday.
POWER RANKINGS
1 — Ferndale (12-2)
The story of the year in H-DNL basketball so far.
2 — Eureka (15-7)
A surprising loss to the Cats should serve as a timely wake-up call for a talented Loggers roster.
3T — St. Bernard’s (8-4)
After getting back on track with a win over South Fork, the Crusaders will get a second shot at Ferndale next Thursday.
3T — Fortuna (10-11)
The Huskies beat the Panthers this past week, but also lost to Arcata
3T — Arcata (9-7)
After beating Fortuna on Wednesday, the Tigers will now play Mack twice on Monday and Tuesday.
3T — McKinleyville (6-8)
With four games in five days between Friday and Tuesday, this is a crucial spell for the Panthers’ season.
Categories: Arcata, Basketball, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, McKinleyville, St. Bernard's
It will be interesting to read whether HSU has a more or less strict policy for spectators/fans in their basketball gym which is not located on any H-DNL campus… sure, the tourney event is a high school league function, but since it is a function with an off-campus application/scheduling, what will the scamdemic policies be?🤷♂️
Many people who normally would show up in the stands are not even thinking now of attempting to attend because of the hogwash nuisance scamdemic policies…
Sadly, if the scamdemic policies stay this bad or become worse, the student athletes are only going to get to play in front of direct family members who are hand-picked to attend…not the folks a player/a team is attempting to impress as they already know current affairs…those ticket paying fans who love the sport and follow year after year with no affiliations other than love for the game and supporting youth, get shafted…
…no scouts allowed either?🤷♂️
The line “ that’s a matchup local fans won’t want to miss” just made me sad because, of course, I won’t be allowed to attend as I am not an immediate family member.