Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Ferndale’s Emily Chavez in action during Wednesday’s NorCal game.

By Ray Hamill — The last H-DN team still competing in basketball this season takes center stage this week, in more ways than one.

The Ferndale Wildcats not only have reached the NorCal Division-6 semifinals, but they’re also our Team of the Week, an award sponsored by College of the Redwoods Athletics.

The Ferndale girls continued their impressive season with a dominating 54-27 win over Redding Christian in the NorCal quarterfinals on Wednesday night, advancing to the weekend semifinals, which will take place on Saturday night.

What’s most impressive about this team is the fact they’ve won with just seven players their playoff roster, including a pair of freshman and a sophomore.

But the Cats have been up for the challenge and have now won three of their four postseason games under the guidance of head coach Jamie Ellsmore.

Joining them among this week’s honorees are a pair of senior wrestlers, who are our Athletes of the Week.

Arcata’s Joshua Hannan and Hoopa’s Gerard Marshall each closed out their high school career with another impressive showing at the CIF state wrestling championships in Bakersfield last weekend.

Hannan placed a career-high fifth in his weight division and Marshall finished in the top 12 for the second straight year.

It was the second straight year both H-DN grapplers qualified for the prestigious state meet.

It is also the second athlete of the week award for each this season.

Submitted photo

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Joshua Hannan

Arcata Wrestling, Senior

Hannan enjoyed a hugely successful high school career on the mats, winning a second straight North Coast Section championship and going on to place higher than any other local wrestler at this year’s state championships.

Competing at 132 pounds, the Arcata senior won his way through to the quarterfinals, where he barely lost to the No. 2 seed in the bracket.

He would bounce back in the consolation bracket to place fifth.

“He wrestled great,” Arcata head coach Cass Bell said. “He was on point. He wrestled his heart out.”

For more on his big week, see Hannan, Marshall lead local charge at state wrestling championships …

Gerard Marshall 

Hoopa Wrestling, Senior

Marshall was equally impressive this season and also won a section title for the second straight year in the heavyweight division.

The Hoopa senior has dominated locally over the last two winters and he capped a very impressive high school career with another strong showing last week at one of the biggest high school tournaments in the nation.

For more on his big week, see Hannan, Marshall lead local charge at state wrestling championships …

TEAM OF THE WEEK 

Ferndale Girls Basketball

The Ferndale girls have arguably been the story of the season in H-DN basketball after overcoming more adversity than any other local team on their way to the NorCal semifinals.

With just seven players on their playoff roster, they have stepped up to the challenge and continue to play at a high level.

The team is led by seniors Emily Chavez and Carly Carmesin and junior Reaghan Langer, with junior Clara Christiansen also playing a pivotal role as a defensive specialist.

Rounding out the starting lineup is impressive freshman Tinnley Pidgeon, who is playing with a composure well beyond her years, while sophomore Saige Machado and freshman Michaela Ellsmore both continue to provide a spark off the bench.

For more on their big week, see Ferndale’s magnificent seven respond in style to keep their season going …