Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Arcata coaches look on during Tuesday night’s NCS game.

By Ray Hamill — It was a disappointing ending to what was a memorable season.

On Tuesday night, the Arcata girls lost their North Coast Section basketball playoff opener to Montgomery, falling 48-41.

The loss came just four days after a heartbreaking defeat to St. Bernard’s in the Dick Niclai championship game, but when the dust has settled and the players and coaches have an opportunity to reflect on the season, they’ll have plenty to feel proud about.

This was a team that took home a first league title in seven years after storming through the Big 5 with a perfect 8-0 record.

That included a pair of wins over the three-time defending conference champion Eureka girls, who had not lost in the Big 5 in three years.

“Tonight hurts,” head coach Charlie Espinoza said afterwards. “And it’s not a reflection of our season. We had a successful season and it’s just life. Another lesson that things end.”

The team will return a core group of talented players for next season, including outstanding twin sisters Tae and Mae Wolford, who could be the best two players in the H-DNL next winter.

And that means the Tigers should be contenders once again 12 months from now.

But Espinoza admits he will miss this year’s senior class, in particular the highly influential duo of Mayleah Jackson and Addison Wingate.

“It’s been an absolute joy to coach Mayleah and Addison for the last two years,” the second-year head coach said. “To take over a program and have those two as major cornerstones in my program is a true blessing.

“They’ve raised the standard for what it takes to be a Arcata women’s basketball player.”

Espinoza also believes the returning players will learn from this year’s late-season disappointment.

“The players returning will grow from this,” he said. “I’ll grow from this.”

The head coach also praised the contributions of his coaching staff.

“Special shout out to my coaching staff being so amazing and supportive and inspiring,” he said. “Major credit to Eddy Vainuku for being my right-hand guy for years. He’s seen so much growth in my coaching journey  and he’s had a big influence.”