Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Fortuna boys are the highest ranked local team in the NCS, according to MaxPreps.

By Ray Hamill — The South Fork Cubs are the top-ranked Division-6 team in the North Coast Section in boys basketball, according to MaxPreps, and one of two H-DNL teams ranked in the top 10 in the state.

The South Fork boys are off to a 9-3 start that has included two tournament championships as they look to secure a three-peat of Little 4 titles in the new year.

The Cubs are also ranked No. 3 among Division-6 teams in the state.

But they will have their hands full retaining their league crown against a St. Bernard’s team that pushed them all the way last season and is also highly-ranked.

The Crusaders, who are 6-2, are the second highest ranked H-DNL team right now, trailing only Fortuna.

The St. Bernard’s boys are No. 48 overall in the NCS — 12 spots ahead of the No. 60 Cubs — and are the No. 7 team in a loaded Division 5 bracket.

The NCS features seven of the top nine D-5 teams in the state, with SB ranked No. 9 in California.

The Huskies, meanwhile, have impressed early in the season and are 8-4 heading into Christmas.

Fortuna is ranked No. 30 overall in the NCS and No. 3 in Division 4.

Also in Division 4, Eureka (8-4) is ranked No. 7, ahead of No. 8 McKinleyville (9-5), No. 11 Arcata (5-5) and No. 14 Del Norte (6-4).

Rounding out the local teams, Hoopa (4-6) is No. 19 in Division 5 and Ferndale (2-5) is No. 19 in Division 6.

Submitted photos – The South Fork boys have won a pair of December tournaments.