Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Jordan Brown in action for the Panthers on Wednesday night.

By Ray Hamill — The Arcata Tigers closed out the first half of league play a perfect 4-0 after a 61-49 win at Del Norte on Wednesday night.

The Arcata boys sit alone atop the Big 5 standings, as they get set to open the second half of league play with a key game at home to Fortuna on Friday.

Elsewhere on Wednesday night, the McKinleyville Panthers returned to the court for the first time since their lopsided defeat at Arcata last week and responded with a comfortable 62-42 win over Eureka to improve to 2-1 in the Big 5.

In non-league action, Fortuna held on to edge St. Bernard’s 63-60 after the Crusaders came storming back from a 21-point deficit, while South Fork got the better of Round Valley by a score of 77-36.

The Tigers, who won their opening three league games in a hectic five days of action last week, showed no letdown on their way to victory at Del Norte.

Brandon Bento-Jackson scored a co-game-high 19 points in the win, as the Tigers improved to 11-6 overall, while teammate Luke Moxon finished with 13 points.

“The team defense, when we needed it the most, was great tonight,” head coach Kellen Maynard said. “Team defense definitely won us the game tonight.”

The Arcata coach also praised the Warriors, who gave them everything they could handle early in the game.

“We weathered the storm,” he added.

Dayquan Dunn also had a good game for the Tigers and finished with eight points, while Josiah Gomez chipped in six points.

Ethan Thomas led the Warriors with 19 points and had five blocks and several rebounds, while Lyon Rigden finished with 11 points.

Brody Mattz added eight points and played some outstanding defense, while Wyatt Robson finished with five points.

The loss drops the Warriors to 1-2 in league play and 8-11 overall.

They will try to bounce back when they host McKinleyville on Friday night.

The Fortuna game, meanwhile, is a big one for the Tigers in their pursuit of a second straight league title.

“I feel like it could be the game of the year,” Maynard said. “It’s going to be a battle.”

McKinleyville 62, Eureka 42

One week after a disappointing performance at Arcata, the Mack boys responded in emphatic fashion to keep their Big 5 hopes alive.

After a scoreless opening four and a half minutes, there were nine lead changes to close out the first quarter, as both teams matched each other stride for stride.

The Panthers, however, opened the second quarter on a 14-0 run to take control and they never looked back.

“I was really happy with the rebound we had,” assistant coach Tyler Pelascini said, referring to last week’s 63-41 loss at Arcata, which was the last time the team played. “We came out refocused and recommitted to what we do best.”

Cody Whitmer scored a game-high 17 points in the win, while teammate Jack Clancy finished with 12 points and Cameron Hooven 10.

Justin Wells also had a big game in the win, stepping up his game.

“I challenged him at the end of the first half and he responded tremendously and just played a very good second half,” Pelascini said of the junior back-up point guard.

Wells finished with eight points, all of them in the second half, while Payton Harbin chipped in five points.

For Eureka, Hans Chalmers continued to impress and scored a team-high 15 points, while Jordan Urban finished with 10 points and Jahmil Rippey added seven

The loss dropped the Loggers to 0-4 in the Big 5 and 7-11 overall.

Next up, the Panthers play at Del Norte on Friday night, while Eureka has a bye in league play.

Fortuna 63, St. Bernard’s 60

The Crusaders came storming back from a 21-point deficit to push the Huskies all the way at Fortuna on Wednesday.

The comeback, however, fell just short as the home team held on for a fourth straight win and improved to 14-7.

Donald Bickle led all scorers with 19 points in the victory, while teammate Russell Pascascio finished with 17 points.

Alfonso Medina also had eight points for Fortuna and Kallen Barrote chipped in six points.

Fortuna led for much of the night, opening up a four-point lead after the first quarter and stretching the gap to 14 at halftime.

The Crusaders, however, outscored them 22-12 in the final period to make a game of it.

Owen Shanahan scored a team-best 17 points for the Crusaders, who dropped to 9-8, while Aaiden Burris added 16 points, 13 of them in the second half.

“Great effort,” is how SB head coach Issac Gildea described his team’s performance. “I like my team down the stretch.”

Seth Dyer also impressed and finished with 11 points, as did Tyler Dimmick, who continues to have an impact since his recent return from injury.

Jack Stark also “provided some great energy in the fourth,” according to Gildea.

The Huskies will now turn their attention to Arcata in what will be a must-win game for them on Friday if they are to challenge for the league title, while the Crusaders will try to bounce back when they play at Ferndale, also on Friday.

South Fork 77, Round Valley 36

Jonah Wansick led the Cubs with 14 points, as they comfortably took care of business at home to Round Valley.

The win lifts the Cubs to 11-4 on the season and will give them some momentum going into Friday’s game at home to Hoopa.

Broc Contreras also had a good game off the bench for the Cubs, “providing great leadership with his passing and pace of play,” according to head coach Taylor Morrow.