File photo – Eureka’s Isis Poteet

Three days after losing a non-league game at St. Bernard’s, the Eureka Loggers bounced back with a comfortable victory at Del Norte in girls basketball on Tuesday night.

The Loggers won 60-38 and remained perfect in the Big 5, improving to 5-0 as they inch closer to a third consecutive conference championship.

Also in the Big 5 on Tuesday night, the McKinleyville girls won 34-26 at Fortuna to improve to 4-2 in conference and officially secure a Dick Niclai tournament berth.

The loss eliminates the Warriors from the H-DNL postseason tournament, as they fell to 1-5 in the Big 5 with two games remaining.

Up in Crescent City, Kaitlin Giacone scored a game-high 24 points as the Eureka girls returned to winning ways.

The visitors led by eight at halftime and quickly pulled away after the interval, outscoring the Warriors 21-8 in the third quarter to take control.

“We played so much more inspired than on Saturday,” Eureka head coach Cliff Napoleon said. “We took care of the ball and things opened up for us on offense.”

Senior Isis Poteet added 13 points in the win, while freshman teammate Tiara Maualuga famished with eight points.

The victory leaves the Loggers one win clear of Arcata (4-1) at the top of the conference standings with three games each remaining.

Eureka is 17-4 overall and 6-1 against H-DNL teams.

The Del Norte girls, meanwhile, dropped to 14-8 on the season but played the conference leaders closer than in the first Big 5 meeting between the two schools.

“We fought hard,” Del Norte head coach Dylan Nelson said. “Eureka’s size gave us trouble on the glass. Isis and (Kaitlin) are high level competitors. Best of luck to them moving forward.”

Anyessa Bettega scored a team-high 11 points in the loss, while teammate Khloe Smith added 10 points.

Both players continue to impress for Del Norte.

“Anyessa Bettega is finding a rhythm again,” Nelson said of the senior guard. “Happy to see her gaining her confidence, which she has earned through years of hard work.

“Khloe Smith continues to improve and is a more willing shooter than earlier this year, which we need.”

Jacalyn Gorbet added eight points for Del Norte.

At Fortuna, meanwhile, the McKinleyville girls kept their slim championship hopes alive with two games remaining.

Tatum Fisher, who is one of last week’s Humboldt Sports Athletes of the Week, finished within one point of a double-double.

The junior standout scored a game-high nine points to lead a balanced Mack attack and also pulled down 15 rebounds, including 12 on offense.

Liz Mengel added eight points in the win, while Taly Turner finished with seven points, Bella Turner had six points and two steals and Gabby Watson chipped in four points.

With the win, the Panthers improved to 13-7 overall.

Kalie Chittenden scored a team-high eight points for the Huskies, who remain winless in the Big 5 and dropped to 0-6.

Allie Cox added six points for Fortuna, which still has an overall winning record at 13-11, showcasing just how competitive this year’s Big 5 is.

Next up, on Thursday, Arcata plays at McKinleyville in a pivotal showdown and Fortuna plays at Eureka.

Del Norte has a bye in conference play on Thursday.

File photo – Khloe Smith