Submitted photo – The Arcata girls celebrate their tournament win

The Arcata Tigers enjoyed a successful opening weekend to the new girls basketball season with three wins in three games on the way to winning the championship at their own tournament.

After victories over Willits (71-10) and Hoopa (58-49) on Thursday and Friday, the Arcata girls wrapped up the tournament with a 49-45 win over rival McKinleyville on Saturday afternoon.

“We have a great team taking on a new identity,” said first-year head coach Charlie Espinoza, who takes over this season from long-time head coach Doug Oliveira. 

Some of the senior players in particular led the way over the three days, with Kyndle Eisner, Melanie Luh and Nora Talty all helping to set the tone for their younger teammates.

Sophomores Mae and Tae Wolford also impressed in their first taste of varsity basketball, as did junior Mayleah Jackson.

“They had a great first tournament as varsity basketball players, showing they are ready for the challenge of playing varsity basketball,” Espinoza said of the trio.

The head coach described Friday’s victory over Hoopa as “gritty,” while all the players got some playing time in the big win over Willits on opening night.

Saturday’s loss for McKinleyville dropped the Panthers to 1-2 on the season.

Tatum Fisher scored a team-high 22 points for the Mack girls, while teammate Gabby Watson added nine points.

Taly Turner finished with six points.

In the other tournament game on Saturday, Hoopa beat Willits 74-37 to close out the tournament 2-1.

The Warriors gave up 22 points in the opening quarter and trailed by two, but they would hold the Wolverines to just 15 points the rest of the game.

Harmony Nelson scored a game-high 24 points in the win, while teammate Tashee Tracy finished with 20 points and Talena Downs-Miguelena had 12 points.

Ivy Lamebear also had seven points and Tahlia Booth finished with six.

Hoopa improved to 2-3 on the season.

File photo – Harmony Nelson