Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Neil Moon, left, and Brandon Romero

By Ray Hamill — Two players stood out above all others on the opening night of the 2025 Dick Niclai tournament on Monday.

Hoopa’s Brandon Romero and McKinleyville’s Neil Moon were both instrumental in leading their teams to opening-round victories and into Wednesday’s semifinals.

And that makes them Humboldt Sports Players of the Day on the opening night of the biggest annual local sports tournament of the year.

Romero had a double-double for Hoopa, as the Warriors started fast and never trailed on their way to a 68-58 win at Ferndale.

The outstanding senior, who is closing out his high school career with a bang this winter, scored a game-high 30 points and added 10 rebounds, as well as six assists.

Not to be out-done, Moon was equally impressive for the Panthers, who rallied from an early deficit to beat Eureka 67-44.

The junior guard has wasted no time establishing himself as one of McKinleyville’s most important players in his first season with the team.

On Monday, he scored a game-high 25 points and earned the respect of both teams’ coaches.

The Dick Niclai tournament continues on Tuesday night, with four H-DNL girls teams in action.

In a rematch of both of Monday’s boys games, the Hoopa girls will host Ferndale and McKinleyville will travel to play Eureka.

We’ll have two more Players of the Day after Tuesday’s games.

Romero, Moon and their teams will continue tournament play in tournament semifinals on Wednesday night.

The Hoopa boys will take on Big 5 champs Arcata at 6 p.m., followed by McKinleyville and Little 4 champs St. Bernard’s at 7:30 p.m.

All of the tournament semifinals will be played at College of the Redwoods.

Brandon Romero

File photo – Neil Moon