The Arcata girls began their preparation for the 2023/24 high school basketball season this past weekend, with many of the players traveling to compete at the Cali Live tournament in Orange County.

And if early indications are anything to go by, it appears as if the Arcata girls are ready to pick up just where they left off last season when they memorably made it all the way to a NorCal championship game.

Facing some tough competition over the three-day tournament, the Arcata girls won all four of their games, including victories over a pair of Division-I teams.

In Saturday’s championship game, Arcata defeated Olympian out of San Diego by a score of 52-45.

Earlier in tournament play, Arcata beat Division-2 Mission Oak from Tulare 49-26, Division-3 Frontier from Bakersfield 69-53 and Division-I El Camino Real from Woodland Hills 58-45.

And head coach Charlie Espinoza, who led the Arcata Tigers to just their second-ever NorCal final in his first season in charge, was more than happy with the performances of several of his players.

“We started the 2024 basketball journey off on a great note,” he said. “All weekend we brought the tempo and physicality from the jump.”

Twin sisters Mae and Tae Wolford, who are each coming off outstanding sophomore campaigns, appear ready to take their game to new levels this coming winter and each had strong tournaments, as did soon-to-be seniors Mayleah Jackson and Addy Wingate.

“The Wolford twins led the way for us, building off of a successful sophomore season,” said Espinoza, who added “Mayleah Jackson and Addy Wingate contributed on both sides of the ball.”

Others too impressed, including Mia Cueto, who “is ready to step into a bigger role this upcoming season,” according to her coach, as well as Zalayshia Velasquez, Izzy Allen and Jocelyn O’Donnell, who are all working hard as they get set to make some noise at the varsity level.

All of the players are working hard towards the next season and embracing the challenge.

“I’m super proud of the girls for locking in and taking this opportunity for us very seriously,” Espinoza said. “What a great way to start the summer. We played tough and we played smart against some very talented teams.”

Submitted photo