The Arcata Tigers tipped off the Redwood Empire Invitational Basketball Tournament in Healdsburg on a winning note on Wednesday night.

The Arcata girls comfortably took care of Upper Lake 77-31.

Also in action on Wednesday, the Fortuna girls won a non-tournament game at St. Helena, 41-21.

At Healdsburg, Tae Wolford and Mayleah Jackson each scored 15 points as the Tigers continued their impressive start to then new season and improved to 4-0.

Jackson and Nora Talty led the Arcata defense and helped set the early tone while pressuring the Upper Lake guards and making life difficult for them.

“Our defensive intensity was on point today,” head coach Charlie Espinoza said.

At St. Helena, meanwhile, the Fortuna girls improved to 5-1 as they get set to open the Healdsburg tournament on Thursday.

Allie Cox scored a team-high 12 points in the win, while teammate Mariah Bravo finished with 11 points.

The Huskies defense came to play and held the home team to just six points in the opening two quarters.

“We played very good defense tonight,” head coach Tom Chapman said. 

Jorlynn Villalvazo was also instrumental in the win and “was a forced on the offensive boards,” according to her coach.

The Fortuna girls tip off the REIBT against Middletown.