Submitted photo – Hoopa’s Ivy Lambear after being named MVP of the Trinity Holiday Classic last month.

By Ray Hamill — It was a big week on the local high school basketball courts as conference play began.

And three players in particular stood out, earning them our athletes of the week honors.

St. Bernard’s senior Laila Florvilus was outstanding once again in leading her team to a 67-35 victory at Ferndale in their Little 4 opener on Thursday night.

Florvilus, who was co-MVP of the conference a year ago, looks like she could earn that honor again this winter after posting a triple-double in the opening victory.

I’m not sure there’s a better player in the entire H-DNL right now, and Florvilus should only continue to improve as the season progresses.

Hoopa’s Ivy Lamebear also began conference play with a big performance.

Just a few days after she was named MVP at the Etna tournament over the weekend, the standout senior team leader led the way with a game-high scoring performance against South Fork in a matchup the Warriors absolutely had to win if they are to have any chance of contending for this year’s Little 4 championship.

Not to be out-done, Arcata junior Tae Wolford also had a big week for a Tigers team that came into this year’s Big 5 with a point to prove and a chip on their shoulder.

After losing last year’s Division-4 NorCal championship game and falling just short of qualifying for a state final, the Tigers are a determined group this season and no one epitomized that determination more than Wolford, who opened conference play with an outstanding performance at Del Norte on Tuesday.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 

Ivy Lamebear

Hoopa Basketball, Senior

Lamebear is clearly enjoying herself as a senior and is playing like the team leader her team needs if the Warriors are to challenge for a Little 4 title.

The standout guard scored a game-high 29 points in a 71-25 win over the Cubs, while also displaying her tenacious side with seven steals.

The standout performance follows her MVP performance at the Etna tournament, which was her second of the season after also earning MVP honors at last month’s Trinity Holiday Classic.

Tae Wolford

Arcata Basketball, Junior

Wolford and her teammates appear determined to win this year’s Big 5 and go deep in the playoffs again, and judging by their first two conference games they will be tough to stop.

On Tuesday, they traveled to Del Norte, which is never an easy place for visiting teams, and came away with a statement 60-27 win.

Wolford was outstanding in the win and finished with a game-high 24 points, including a remarkable seven 3s.

She also scored a game-high 14 points in a win over Fortuna on Thursday night.

File photo – St. Bernard’s Senior Laila Florvilus

Laila Florvilus

St. Bernard’s Basketball, Senior

A lot was expected out of Florvilus this season and she has not disappointed.

On Thursday night, the senior standout dominated at Ferndale against a good Wildcats team and finished the game with a triple-double.

Florvilus score 29 points and also had 10 steals and 10 rebounds.

If she continues to perform like this, the Crusaders will be a handful for any team in the H-DNL this season.