Photos by Tahlia Booth – Action from Hoopa’s recent doubleheader against South Fork.

By Ray Hamill — Now that they’re finally playing games on a regular basis, the Hoopa Warriors are starting to build some momentum in softball.

And that could be enough to see them continue their recent dominance in the Little 4.

No other school has won a Little 4 championship in the sport since the Ferndale Wildcats took home the pennant in 2017, and the Warriors are looking for a fifth straight title this spring.

(They won the Little 4 in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023, with no title awarded during the COVID years of 2020 and 2021.)

After splitting a key doubleheader against St. Bernard’s on Friday — and handing the Crusaders their first conference loss — the Hoopa girls remain in contention for the title halfway through the Little 4 schedule.

The Crusaders are top of the standings with a record of 5-1, while the Warriors are just one win back with a record of 4-2.

With three more doubleheaders to to go over the next three weeks — including a doubleheader against SB at Samoa next week — the Hoopa girls know if they win out they will claim another conference pennant.

After seeing just limited playing time in March, the Warriors played six conference games in just seven days last week.

And first-year head coach Jordee Colegrove-Avery likes the way her players are playing right now.

“In the last week they’re starting to come together really well,” Colegrove-Avery said. “They’re mentally pushing themselves.

“Their batting has really come around this past week and it shows with the numbers they’re putting up.”

Several players have been stepping up at the plate, including seniors Rianna Bain and Bella Valentine, each of whom played on the 2022 Hoopa North Coast Section championship winning team and have plenty of experience.

Photo by Tahlia Booth

Junior Millennia McKindley also has been impressing at the plate this spring, as has sophomore Rikki Lipscomb, who is playing a pivotal role in a breakout campaign.

“Rikki has an amazing swing,” Colegrove-Avery said of the standout sophomore. “And when she gets a hold of the ball, she really gets a hold of it.”

Senior Ava Jackson is also playing a big role for the team at the plate.

Despite not playing softball for the past few years, Jackson has wasted no time settling back in and has been one of the team’s biggest threats on offense, including a six-hit day in a doubleheader at Ferndale last Wednesday.

“From the very first day of practice, she has earned her keep,” Colegrove-Avery said. “And it’s been so awesome to see.”

The Hoopa pitching is young and still a work in progress, but sophomore Monteya Colegrove and freshman Roxy Colegrove are growing in stature, with Monteya the team’s No. 1 option in the circle.

“Monteya is doing awesome,” the coach said. “She’s been able to hit her spots and her walk to strikeout (ratio) is pretty good.”

Roxy Colegrove, who is also showing improvement at the plate, is one of two freshmen on this year’s roster, along with outfielder Jaiden Kurtz, and both newcomers are already playing key roles with the team.

The Hoopa girls will try to keep their recent good run going when they host Ferndale in a Little 4 doubleheader on senior day on Friday.

A class of five seniors — Valentine, Bain, Jackson, Brooklyn Kurtz and Kishan Dean — will all be recognized before the game.

And overall, Colegrove-Avery likes what she’s seeing from her players and the enthusiasm they have shown this spring.

“They’re so much fun,” the coach said. “Even on days where we’ve been struggling, they have the best attitude.”