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The Arcata Tigers played three close games at the weekend Peyo Classic at Miramonte High School, and closed out tournament play 1-2.

After opening with a 45-40 win over Heritage, the Arcata girls dropped two straight games, falling 31-28 to the host school on Friday and then losing 50-49 to Northgate in double overtime in their tournament finale on Saturday.

The Tigers ended up fourth in what head coach Charlie Espinoza described as an “extremely competitive tournament,” and that should benefit the team going forward.

Saturday’s game was a back-and-forth showdown that could have gone either way.

Mae Wolford and Leitala Vainuku each a big basket at the end of regulation and at the end of the first overtime period, respectfully, to help keep their team in Saturday’s game, but the Tigers ultimately fell by the narrowest of margins.

“We had a shot to win, but came up just short,” Espinoza said. 

Woldford, who was named to the all-tournament team, had a big performance in the finale and finished with a double-double, scoring 20 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

Sophomore Jocelyn O’Donnell also stepped up in the game, while filling in for the injured Addison Wingate, and she finished with 12 points while also playing “great defense,” according to the coach.

Izzy Allen also impressed and was “a superstar off the bench,” Espinoza said, as she aded nine boards and had four steals while playing the most minutes she has seen so far this season.

Emmerson Brownfield also had a big impact for the Tigers, especially in the second overtime period with the game in the balance.

All of the Arcata players made their presence felt.

Mae Wolford was named to the all-tournament team.

“As a team we dominated the gym with our energy,” Espinoza said. “From the girls on the court to the energy on the bench.

“The entire gym knew Arcata High was there.”

On Friday night, meanwhile, the Tigers lost a low-scoring game against Miramonte.

Tae Wolford led the Arcata girls with tie points and five rebounds, while her twin sister Mae finished with eight rebounds.

Espinoza admitted it “wasn’t the prettiest” of games, but the Tigers had an opportunity to tie it at the end only to see the attempt fall just short.

Arcata is now 1-3 on the season.