Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Kaitlin Giacone in action for the Loggers at Arcata on Friday night.

By Ray Hamill — Two H-DNL basketball players led their teams to big wins this week and that gets them the nod for our athletes of the week, sponsored as always by College of the Redwoods Athletics.

On Thursday night, junior Dayquan Dunn stepped up big time to lead the Arcata boys to a victory at Eureka in what was arguably their most important game of the season.

Dunn dominated in the paint all night as the Tigers won 44-33 in a game they absolutely had to have to keep their championship hopes alive.

The multi-sport standout junior had a double-double and continually caused the Loggers problems at both ends of the floor.

One night later, Eureka senior Kaitlin Giacone enjoyed one of her most dominating performances of the season to lead the Eureka girls past Arcata.

Giacone was a nightmare matchup at both ends of the floor and the Tigers had no answer for her.

The standout senior is the reigning Big 5 MVP and appears to be a clear frontrunner for the award again this year as we approach the halfway stage of league play.

And that’s not all for Giacone, who is also a multi-sport standout.

She’s also a member of our team of the week, which goes to the Eureka girls basketball team.

The Loggers were the favorites to retain their Big 5 championship coming into conference play and so far they’ve lived up to that billing.

The Eureka girls are the best basketball team in the H-DNL this season — boys or girls — and have won all three of their conference games to take a one-win lead in the standings.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Dayquan Dunn

Arcata Basketball, Junior

After an MVP season in football in the fall, Dunn appears just as comfortable on the basketball courts this winter.

The Arcata junior scored a game-high 18 points in Thursday’s crucial win and also pulled down 20 rebounds.

Dunn and the Tigers will look to keep their championship hopes on track when they host Del Norte on Tuesday night.

For more on Dunn and the Tigers, see Arcata boys close out strong in bounce-back win at Eureka …

Kaitlin Giacone

Eureka Basketball, Senior

Giacone appears to be getting stronger as the season moves along and was in outstanding form in what was a key 53-43 win for the Loggers at Arcata on Friday night.

“KK did everything for us tonight,” Eureka head coach Cliff Napoleon said of the senior, who scored a game-high 19 points. “Offense, defense, she was everywhere.”

Arcata head coach Charlie Espinoza added: “Kaitlin beat us tonight.”

For more on Giacone and the Loggers, see Loggers win intense battle at Arcata, remain unbeaten in the B5 …

TEAM OF THE WEEK 

Eureka Girls Basketball

And speaking of the Loggers, they appear to be well on track to winning a third straight Big 5 championship this winter.

Napoleon has his players competing at a higher level than any other team in the H-DNL right now and the Loggers have beaten their first three conference opponents by an average of 18 points.

In addition to Giacone, several other players have also been playing at a high level, including seniors Maia Hales and Isis Poteet, juniors Mallorie Beauchamp and Samara Gaither and the talented freshmen duo of Tiara Maualuga and Oliviana Millender, while juniors Baylie Battle and Jeralyn Miller round out a deep roster and also have made some big contributions.

For more on their big week, see see Loggers win intense battle at Arcata, remain unbeaten in the B5 …