Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — It was an occasion befitting of a championship showdown and an atmosphere that reminded us once again why high school basketball on the North Coast is so special.

Playing in front of a packed house at Arcata High, the Tigers and Eureka Loggers served up a highly-entertaining game in a physical and hard-nosed showdown to determine this year’s Big 5 title.

And when the dust had settled, the home team walked away with a 50-44 victory, giving the Tigers the championship outright and their first Big 5 pennant in seven years.

“I’m speechless and I’m so proud. What an amazing night,” Arcata head coach Charlie Espinoza said. “These kids gave me everything tonight. They’ve worked so hard for this.”

The loss for the Loggers ends a three-year run as conference champs, but they can walk away feeling proud of their efforts and they continued to battle all night.

The Eureka girls will now turn their attention towards next week’s Dick Niclai tournament, and as the No 2 seed from the Big 5 there’s every reason to believe the four-time defending tournament champs could face their conference rivals again in next Friday’s tournament championship game.

“I was proud of the way the girls played,” Eureka head coach Cliff Napoleon said. “They never gave up and kept fighting.”

It was a physical game from the opening tip with both sets of players giving their all and fighting for every loose ball.

The Eureka girls started strong with sophomore center Tiara Maualuga causing problems for the Arcata defense in the paint, scoring seven of her 13 points for the night in the opening quarter.

The Loggers led 16-10 after the first quarter and would stretch the lead to eight on a pair of Samara Gaither free throws to open the second quarter after a technical foul on Arcata.

But the home team would grow into the game and dominated the rest of the first half, outscoring the visitors 22-8 for the second quarter and carrying an eight-point advantage (32-24) into the break as foul trouble began to take its toll on the Loggers.

“That second quarter was rough to watch,” Napoleon said.

A low-scoring third quarter saw the two teams combine for just 13 points and the game remained well in the balance going into the fourth with seven points separating these great rivals

The Loggers began the final period well and cut the deficit to one on an Olivianna Millender 3-pointer with 5:30 remaining in the game.

However, they struggled to find their shooting touch down the stretch and managed just two baskets the remainder of the game as the Tigers began to grow in confidence.

The win gives the Tigers a conference sweep over a program that has dominated them in recent times, and it secured a top seed and first-round bye for next week’s Dick Niclai tournament.

“Coach Espinoza did a great job with them and hats off to Arcata,” a gracious Napoleon said afterwards. “They took the game, They took the conference. They played like that all night.”

Gaither led the Loggers with a team-high 14 points and continued to battle all the way to the final buzzer.

The Arcata girls were certainly deserved winners and they have answered the call this season, displaying a fighting spirit with a selfless determination since day one.

“I’m so lucky to have this team,” Espinoza said. “These young ladies play for each other.

“These girls stepped up and handled business.”

Fittingly, all four Arcata seniors contributed on senior night.

Emmerson Brownfield, Mayleah Jackson, Leitala Vainuku and Addison Wingate all scored in their final ever regular-season game at Arcata.

Jackson, who is enjoying an outstanding season and has been hugely influential on the march towards the conference championship, finished with seven points, all of them in the first half as she helped set the early tone despite battling foul trouble.

She displayed her clutch side by going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the opening half.

Juniors Tae and Mae Wolford continued to play key roles for the Tigers and have established themselves as two of the top players in the entire H-DNL over the past two seasons.

Both were hugely impactful in Friday’s win, frustrating the Loggers with their relentless approach to the game.

Mae finished with a team-high 15 points, while Tae added 14.

Brownfield and Vainuku each added four points, including a decisive 3-pointer by the latter to put her team up by 10 with a minute remaining.

Wingate chipped in three points and also made her presence felt throughout.

Check out Leitala Vainuku’s big 3-pointer late in the game below …

“Addison has been a major part of the Arcata women’s basketball culture, instilling a competitive nature that has influenced her team’s success,” Espinoza said. “Thank you Addison for all you have done for Arcata High.’

The coach also praised the contributions of the other seniors.

“Mayleah’s impact at Arcata High goes way beyond the court,” he added. “She is one of the brightest people on campus and always sparks the energy on the court. She’s a natural leader and is a fierce competitor. Thank you for all you do for the community on and off the court.

“Leitala is a great teammate. As a senior she is a calming presence on the court helping facilitate and keeping our game dynamics smooth.

“Off the court she’s ‘crazy scary spooky hilarious.’ Tala has always been a high IQ player and when she speaks everyone listens., Thank you Tala for all you’ve given to Arcata women’s basketball.

“Emmerson has been a joy to have in the program. She always shows up with a positive vibe and she is one of the best shot blockers that has dawned a Tigers uniform. Thank you Em for your impact in the women’s basketball program.”

Next up, the Loggers will host McKinleyville in their Dick Niclai opener on Tuesday night, while the Tigers will play the winner of Tuesday’s Ferndale/Hoopa game in Thursday’s semifinal at College of the Redwoods.