File photo – Harmony Nelson had a big game for the Warriors in their conference opener at South Fork on Thursday night.

The Hoopa girls got their conference schedule off to a winning start in basketball on Thursday night, defeating South Fork 71-29.

Senior Ivy Lamebear, who is one of this week’s Humboldt Sports Athletes of the Week, led the team in scoring with 29 points and also played some good defense with seven steals.

Wau’Kel Blake also impressed in the win and finished with a double-double, as the Warriors improved to 1-0 in the Little 4 and 8-6 overall.

Blake finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Sophomore Maggie Morris added 12 points, while senior Harmony Nelson had a good all-around game, finishing with 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Nelson, who has been a key figure for the Warriors since breaking into the roster as a freshman, also scored seven points.

The win was a nice response for a team that lost 59-44 at Weed in non-conference action on Tuesday.

A very young Cubs team was led by a pair of freshmen.

Kendall Kercher scored a team-high 14 points, while teammate Halo Wilson added 10 points.

This year’s South Fork team has just two seniors on the roster, as well as five freshmen and three sophomores.

In other Little 4 games on Thursday night, St. Bernard’s traveled to Ferndale and won 67-35.

The Crusaders are now 15-1 overall and 1-0 in the Little 4.

File photo – Ivy Lamebear scored a team-high 29 points in Thursday’s win.