File photo – The St. Bernard’s girls improved to 3-0 in the Little 4o n Friday night.

The St. Bernard’s Crusaders took a big step toward a conference championship with a comfortable win over their closest challengers in girls basketball on Friday night, while the Hoopa Warriors got their first conference win.

The SB girls won 43-22 at Ferndale and took sole possession of top spot in the standings with a 3-0 record halfway through conference play, while the Wildcats dropped to 2-1 in the Little 4 and saw their seven-game winning streak end.

At South Fork, Hoopa won 79-22, improving to 1-2 in the Little 4 and dropping the Cubs to 0-3.

Nine of the 10 SB players on hand scored in the win, including junior Laila Florvilus, who finished with a game-high 20 points as she continues her outstanding season.

Likewise with teammate Madelyn Shanahan — the other half of the most dangerous duo in the Little 4 — who finished with seven points.

“This was another great game for Laila Florvilus as she continues to show she is one of the top players in the H-DNL,” St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin said. 

It wasn’t all good news for the Crusaders, however.

“It was a tough night offensively as we never found our rhythm,” Tomlin added. “Our defensive effort was outstanding and led us to victory tonight.”

Shanahan showed why she is such an important player for the conference leaders.

“Madelyn Shanahan’s shot blocking was amazing again tonight,” the coach said.

Rihanna Fontenot added four points for the Crusaders, who improved to 16-2 overall.

The Ferndale girls, who dropped to 11-4 overall, were shorthanded and played without sophomore guard Clara Albee.

The Cats were led offensively by standout sophomore Tinnley Pidgeon, who scored a team-high eight points, while teammates Reaghan Langer and Michaela Ellsmore each added six points.

Next up, the Crusaders will host crosstown rival Eureka in a non-league game on Saturday at 5 p.m., while the Cats will try to get back to winning ways when they play at Hoopa on Thursday.

At South Fork, meanwhile, the Warriors ended a three-game losing streak with a big 57-point victory.

Senior center Tashee Tracy impressed in the win and scored a game-high 26 points while freshman teammate Maggie Morris finished with 22 points.

Junior Ivy Lamebear also was influential in the win and added 16 points, while freshman Wau-Kel Blake chipped in eight points and Harmony Nelson had six points.

Morris and Lamebear each had two 3-pointers.

The Warriors are now 9-6 on the season, while the Cubs are 8-8.

The South Fork girls return to action when they host St. Bernard’s on Thursday.