Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Wednesday’s game at College of the Redwoods.

By Ray Hamill — The Arcata Tigers will have the opportunity to defend the Dick Niclai Tournament championship they won last year when they face off against rivals McKinleyville in Friday night’s championship game.

The Arcata boys comfortably took care of business against a shorthanded St. Bernard’s team in Wednesday’s semifinal at College of the Redwoods, winning 73-50.

The Tigers, who had an opening round bye on Monday, came storming out the gates and opened up an early 17-point lead.

The Crusaders, however, began to settle down in the second quarter and cut the deficit to five at one stage.

The Big 5 champion Tigers, however, came into the game riding a 10-game winning streak and it showed in the second half, as they pulled away late for the comfortable victory.

“We couldn’t have scripted a better start,” Arcata head coach Kellen Maynard said. “I thought we moved the ball well and we got the shots I thought we were going to get.

“Defensively we let up in the second quarter but you have to give St. Bernard’s credit. Their offensive mindset was to keep attacking us and they did a good job of that in the second quarter.”

Luke Moxon scored a team-high 20 points for the Tigers, who improved to 17-6, while Kalani Butor added 18 points, including four big 3-pointers in the first quarter to help set the early tone.

Brandon Bento-Jackson also was instrumental and finished with 16 points, including three 3s.

“I thought Brandon had a good game,” Maynard said. “He didn’t score as many points, but he was still making the right pass and taking the right shots.

“And Moxon played huge and Kalani played huge, and when we needed plays they were the guys to make them.”

Dayquan Dunn also had an impact and finished with six points, while Dawson Vallerga and Luke Lemke each chipped in five points.

The Tigers outscored the Crusaders 20-6 in the final quarter to help seal the win.

St. Bernard’s was playing once again without standout Owen Shanahan, who has missed multiple games down the stretch of the season and was sorely missed once again.

But the Crusaders had several standout performances, including Aaiden Burris, who scored a game-high 21 points.

Seth Dyer also played well and finished with 12 points, while Jack Stark added seven points.

“Arcata played a good basketball game,” St. Bernard’s head coach Issac Gildea said. “They’re a great team and they’re well coached. Brandon and Luke (Moxon) are great players and Kalani did a good job.”

The Crusaders, who dropped to 14-11, will try to bounce back in next week’s North Coast Section Division-5 playoffs.

“I love my basketball team,” Gildea said. “We never quit, and we’re looking forward to the playoffs. I’ve got a great group of kids.”

The Tigers will now turn their attention to Friday’s championship game against a McKinleyville team they beat twice in league play after losing to the Panthers in tournament play in December.

The championship game will return to Lumberjack Arena for the first time in three years.

“I’m glad the game is back at Humboldt, and the guys are excited,” Maynard said. “Obviously for us, there’s no one we’d rather play.”

Friday’s game is set for 7:30 p.m., after the girls championship game at 6 p.m.