Arcata’s Tae and Mae Wolford named co-MVPs of the Big 5

By barstoolfanatics on March 13, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — Arcata’s Mae and Tae Wolford have been named co-MVPs of the Big 5 in girls basketball after leading the Tigers to their first conference championship in seven years.

The league announced the MVP and all-league selections on Thursday morning, and it will come as no surprise to most observers to see the dynamic juniors lead the honors.

Both players enjoyed outstanding seasons as they continue to grow together and their impact on the team was felt on and off the court.

“Together they are impossible to stop,” Arcata head coach Charlie Espinoza said. “I truly feel they are two of the most dominant players in the (North Coast Section).”

They started all 27 games this season and led their team in several key statistical categories, as the Tigers went undefeated in conference action.

Mae averaged a team-best 13.8 points and also had 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 steals a game, while Tae averaged 10.9 points, 4.4 boards and 2 steals.

More importantly, Espinoza knew he could always count on the dynamic duo to have a huge impact every night.

“Mae is always consistent,” the coach said. “You know every game she’s going to dominate the glass.”

Mae finished the season with 13 double-doubles, which was second best in the NCS.

“She works so hard every game, causing havoc defensively and putting pressure on the interior defense,” Espinoza added.

Tae, meanwhile, inspired her teammates with her play and often gave them a boost at critical times during games.

Mae Wolford

Tae Wolford

“Tae is a spark plug,” the Arcata coach said. “When she’s on it’s impossible to stop her.”

Tae began conference play with a record-setting performance and carried that momentum through the rest of the season.

“She set the tone the first game of league when she set the school record for 3s in a game with seven at Del Norte,” the coach added. “Her mindset after that was on attack mode.”

And that’s not all.

Espinoza added that in addition to their talents on the court, the sisters are “two of the “happiest, goofiest kids ever.”

The Wolfords are two of five Arcata plates to receive all-league recognition.

Mayleah Jackson

Submitted photo – Samara Gaither (left) and Tiara Maualuga

Senior guard Mayleah Jackson was also named to the all-league team after an outstanding final high school campaign and she helped set up the twins for success with her distribution and court vision.

Addison Wingate, who announced this week that she will continue her playing career at College of the Redwoods after graduation this year, and Leitala Vainuku each also received an all-league honorable mention for the champions.

The Eureka Loggers, who pushed the Tigers all the way to the final night in the race for this year’s championship, have two players named all-league.

Senior Samara Gaither and sophomore Tiara Maualuga each received the honor.

Impressive McKinleyville seniors Gabby Watson and Tatum Fisher were both also named to the all-league team, as was Del Norte’s Tsinte Steinruck and Fortuna’s Mariah Bravo.