File photo – Cloe McConnell and the South Fork softball team are this week’s team of the week.

By Ray Hamill — It was a week to remember for one H-DNL senior in particular, as well a Little 4 softball team that has found its groove at just the right time.

Fortuna multi-sport standout Russell Pascasio is closing out his high school career in style, as he gets set to take his talents to College of the Redwoods after graduation.

The Huskies senior recently won both the high jump and triple jump at the H-DNL track and field championships and followed that last week with another big performance at the North Coast Section Redwood Empire championships last weekend, where he placed first in the high jump and second in the triple jump.

That qualified Pascascio for this week’s NCS Meet of Champions and he continued to shine on his way to placing first in the high jump on Friday.

Pascascio will now advance to next week’s CIF state championships, where he will close out his high school career with the biggest meet of his career.

And that makes Pascasio this week’s Humboldt Sports Athlete of the week.

Not to be out-done, it was also a very memorable week for the South Fork softball team.

The Cubs won both of their NCS playoff games this week on the way to a third section championship in their last four full seasons.

Not bad for a program that didn’t even field a team last year.

On Tuesday, the South Fork girls got their week off to a flying start with a 12-2 win over Point Arena in the Division-6 semifinals, and they followed that with a 12-1 win over California School for the Deaf in Friday night’s championship game in Fremont.

And that makes the Cubs our team of the week.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Russell Pascascio

Fortuna Track and Field, Senior

Pascascio enjoyed a very good season on the basketball court during the winter, and he’s having an even better spring season in track and field.

The Fortuna senior standout beat out the best of the best in the entire NCS at this weekend’s Meet of Champions on his way to victory in the boys high jump.

Pascascio matched his PR with a jump of 6’ 5” on his way to the victory, giving him two big wins in just seven days.

And he’s not done yet.

For more one Pascascio’s big week, see Pascascio, Collins lead the Big 5 charge at NCS championships …

Submitted photo

TEAM OF THE WEEK 

South Fork Softball

No H-DNL team has dominated in the North Coast Section softball playoffs in recent years more than the Cubs.

Under the guidance of head coach Lisa Todd, the South Fork girls won a third section crown in their last four full seasons on Friday night with their big win in Fremont.

Several players have played key roles on this year’s team, including seniors Cloe McConnell and Caidence Young, as well as sophomores Makenzie Brewer and Molly Perkins and freshman Mackenzie Coleman, among others.

According to Todd, this group of players are playing their best ball of the year in the playoffs, and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

And they’re not done yet either.

Next, it’s on to the NorCal state playoffs for the first time in school history.

For more on their big week, see South Fork girls continue successful NCS run …