Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Eureka’s Tiara Maualuga lines up a free throw during Tuesday’s game at McKinleyville.

The Eureka Loggers and Arcata Tigers both tipped off their conference schedule with big road wins in girls basketball on Tuesday night.

The Loggers traveled to McKinleyville and dominated the Panthers in a 47-17 victory, while the Tigers traveled to Crescent City and were every bit as impressive on their way to a 60-27 win over the Del Norte Warriors.

The victory was the 10th straight for the Eureka girls, who improved to 1-0 in the Big 5 and 12-1 overall.

The Tigers, who were coming off a tough pre-conference schedule, showcased their championship credentials in one of the toughest local gyms for road teams and comfortably got the better of the Warriors with a strong defensive performance.

“Defense was the main show of the game tonight with lock-down mentality,” Arcata head coach Charlie Espinoza said. “We are coming into league with a chip on our shoulder coming out of a tough preseason schedule.”

With the win, the Arcata girls improved to 1-0 in the Big 5 and 10-6 overall.

The game at McKinleyville was close early as the home team matched the Big 5 favorites, and the two sides were tied at 7-7 with just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The red-hot Loggers, however, would begin to take control late in the period and outscored the Panthers 15-1 for the remainder of the half to carry a comfortable 22-8 lead into the break.

The third quarter was more of the same and the Eureka girls would stretch their lead to 17 going into the final period.

After that, there was no way back for the Panthers, who saw a three-game winning streak end and dropped to 12-5 on the season and 0-1 in the Big 5.

Sophomore Olivianna Millender scored a game-high 14 points for Eureka, while teammate Samara Gaither added 12 points.

It was the team defense, however, that really paved their way to victory.

And impressively, the Loggers did not show any ill-effects from a 17-day break since their last game.

“(Our) defense looked really good tonight,” said Eureka head coach Cliff Napoleon, who admitted he was a little nervous about playing a dangerous team like McKinleyville after such a long layoff.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect tonight, especially when you have a long break between games like we had.

“I was really nervous coming in with the teams McKinleyville were beating and how good of a coach Coach (Jacob) Cheek is.

“Our team defense was on point tonight.”

The team’s seniors played crucial roles on the way to victory, most notably Gaither, Mallorie Beauchamp and Baylie Battle, the latter of whom helped get her team going in the first half.

“Sam and Mal were a menace at the top, which gave our post freedom to roam,” Napoleon said. “But what really turned the tide was the Baylie Battle and her high IQ midway through the second quarter.

“She settled things down on offense and was a rock on our defense.”

That stellar defense gave up just 10 points over the final three quarters.

Gabby Watson scored a team-high seven points for McKinleyville, while teammate Tatum Fisher added four points.

At Crescent City, meanwhile, the visiting Tigers issued a statement of intent as they look to challenge for a league title.

And with several of their players back from last year’s NorCal final team, a team that almost advanced to the state championship game, the Tigers showed why they should be considered one of the top two teams in conference with a dominating victory over a quality Del Norte team.

“We’re looking to be better than we were last year with a strong roster,” Espinoza said. 

They certainly looked like it in Tuesday’s conference opener.

Tae Wolford helped pave the way to victory with a big night from downtown, hitting seven 3-pointers in the win.

Wolford finished with a game-high 24 points, while teammate Jocilyn O’Donnell added 13 points.

Mae Wolford also had a big night on defense and had five steals for the Arcata girls.

The in-form Avery Ritter was a notable bright spot on what was an otherwise disappointing night for the Warriors.

“She is playing better and growing her role,” Del Norte head coach Dylan Nelson said of the sophomore standout.

Del Norte senior Tsinte Steinruck also impressed in the loss as she continues to play a crucial leadership role.

“Tsinte competed hard and did some good things out there,” Nelson added. “Her versatility continues to be a big part of what we do.”

No more stats were immediately available from Tuesday’s game.

With the loss, the Warriors dropped to 0-1 in the Big 5 and 12-6 overall.