File photo – Aaiden Burris

The St. Bernard’s Crusaders improved to 2-0 in the Little 4 with a comfortable 54-39 win at Hoopa on Friday night.

The win, coupled with South Fork’s 53-37 victory over Ferndale in Miranda, moves the Crusaders one game clear at the top of the standings, with the Cubs and Warriors deadlocked at 1-1.

The St. Bernard’s boys were in control throughout and led by 24 at halftime.

“We controlled the game early and we got to play everyone tonight,” head coach Issac Gildea said. “So it was a fun night.”

Seven of the 10 SB players scored, with Aaiden Burris leading the way and finishing with 18 points.

Owen Shanahan added 11 points and has had a bigger impact on the team in recent games.

“Owen Shanahan really controlled the paint,” Gildea said of the senior standout, who had several blocks. “He’s been improving, and we’re doing a better job getting him the ball.”

Fellow senior Tyler Dimmick returned to the lineup after missing some time through injury and had an immediate impact, finishing with eight points.

“We turned the ball over less and played more disciplined,” Gildea said. “It was a good team win.”

Seth Dyer added seven points and Liam Dyer six.

Brendan Baldy led the way offensively for the home team and scored 15 points, while Lane Campbell finished with 12 points, Brian Gulley five and Darvin Davis IV four.

The loss drops the Warriors to 0-2 in league play and 4-10 overall.

The South Fork boys, meanwhile, responded to back-to-back losses with a pivotal win over the Wildcats.

There was little to separate the two teams in a low-scoring first half, and the home team led by one (18-17) at the break.

The Cubs would build on that with a huge third quarter, putting up 19 points to take control.

“I was really proud of my team for the energy and focus they brought in a really big game,” South Fork head coach Taylor Morrow said. “And we stepped up to the occasion.”

Defense was key for the Cubs, who were led by John Harding.

The consistent senior had about eight steals, according to his coach, to go with eight points on offense.

Teammate Tommy Rotbergs scored a team-high 16 points, while Shevy Bero-Vanmeter added 12 points and was a perfect 8 for 8 from the free-throw line.

The Cubs also got big performances off the bench from both Rueben Lopez and Jonah Wansick.

“Jonah’s really found a great niche both scoring and rebounding, and defensively,” Morrow said of Lopez, who has played well in both wins over Ferndale this season. “He’s a big lift off the bench for us, and the same with Jonah.”

With the win, the Cubs improved to 11-4 overall, while Ferndale is now 11-5.

Ferndale stats to follow.