Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — Is there a better boys basketball team in the H-DNL right now than the St. Bernard’s Crusaders?

Saturday night’s game against Eureka may tell us differently, but a victory over then unbeaten Big 5 leaders McKinleyville last weekend suggests they are.

And that makes the SB boys our team of the week, an award sponsored as always by College of the Redwoods Athletics.

Coaches Issac Gildea and Pat Shanahan are doing a remarkable job with a talented and deep roster, one that MaxPreps lists as the top-ranked boys team in the H-DNL.

The Crusaders have some outstanding senior leadership, some of top young talent in the league and few weaknesses.

They have not only dominated their three opponents in the Little 4, but look like they could be the frontrunners to win this year’s Dick Niclai tournament, something they have not done since 2002.

Our athletes of the week, meanwhile, go to a pair of Big 5 players who are playing key roles this season on their respective teams and coming off big weeks.

Arcata senior Nora Talty has been one of the top basketball players in the area for the past few years and this year is providing a steady and experienced hand on a young Tigers team that is enjoying an outstanding season so far.

Talty’s contributions don’t always get the headlines but the Tigers wouldn’t be where they are right now without the reliable and consistent Tigers senior standout.

McKinleyville junior Tatum Fisher also is playing a pivotal role for the Panthers, as they look to make some noise in this year’s Dick Niclai tournament and North Coast Section postseason.

Fisher was outstanding in a pair of games this week, including in a pivotal win at Del Norte on Friday night, which all but secured a Niclai berth for her team and ended a two-game conference losing streak.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Nora Talty

Arcata Basketball, Senior

Talty is one of the most experienced players in the H-DNL this season and has been setting the tone for her younger teammates at both ends of the floor.

In her third year playing varsity, Talty scored a game-high 15 points in a 67-42 win over Fortuna on Friday night and is one of the main reasons the Tigers have lost just four games all season and are in contention for a Big 5 title.

For more on her big week, see Fisher and Talty impress as Panthers and Tigers win …

Tatum Fisher

McKinleyville Basketball, Junior

After scoring a game-high 15 points in a loss to Eureka on Wednesday, the talented and hard-working junior carried that form into a Friday matchup at Del Norte, where she scored a game-high 20 points.

More importantly, she helped set the tone from the opening tip in a game the Panthers needed to win after they had dropped back-to-back conference games.

For more on her big week, see Fisher and Talty impress as Panthers and Tigers win …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

St. Bernard’s Boys Basketball

The Crusaders are poised for a big playoff run as they get set for the business end of the regular season.

Heading into Saturday night’s game against their crosstown rivals, the St. Bernard’s boys have won nine straight games and are the highest ranked boys team in the H-DNL, according to MaxPreps, and the No. 4 Division-5 team in the state.

The coaches have done an outstanding job but so too have the players.

Seniors Seth Dyer and Aaiden Burris have provided some necessary leadership, while senior transfer Rowan Cromwell has given the squad an added boost since joining the lineup late last month. 

And they have two of the best young talents in the H-DNL with sophomore Liam Dyer and freshman Garrett Shanahan playing with a composure well beyond their years.

It’s shaping up to be a great season for the Crusaders.

For more on their big week, see LITTLE 4 ROUNDUP — Crusaders, Cubs take care of business …