Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — It was a great end to the season for one local team and a great start to the season for one local athlete.

And both feature in our weekly awards, along with a football player who is taking full advantage of his opportunity this year and thriving as a result.

Our team of the week honors go to the Ferndale girls soccer team, which capped an incredible season with an historic championship on Wednesday.

Under the guidance of head coach Bailey Davy and assistant coach Brenden McDonald, the Wildcats claimed a first-ever North Coast Section Division-1 championship in the sport with a 2-0 win over Del Norte on Wednesday.

The Cats lost just twice all year and just once in their final 21 games, a run that included 14 shutouts and three in their three playoff games.

They also won a second-ever league title this fall.

And with a relatively young lineup and four outstanding freshmen, the Cats look like they could be a powerhouse program in the H-DNL and NCS for the foreseeable future.

Our athletes of the week awards, meanwhile, go to College of the Redwoods sophomore Nora Talty and St. Bernard’s junior Trenten Hagler.

Talty got the new college basketball season off to an impressive start last weekend, scoring a team-high in points in all three of CR’s opening games, including 21 in a 73-58 win over Merced.

Talty looks set for a big winter on the courts for the local community college program.

Hagler was equally impressive last weekend, leading the Crusaders to a share of the Big 4 football championship for the second time in three years.

The junior quarterback has thrived in the role this season and threw for four touchdowns in Saturday’s 35-21 win over Del Norte.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Trenten Hagler

St. Bernard’s Football, Junior

After splitting time under center in each of his first two high school seasons, Hagler has taken over as full-time starter this fall and has bend playing at an MVP level recently.

On Saturday, he completed 29 of 41 passes for 293 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Crusaders closed out the regular season with a record of 9-1 (5-1 in the Big 4) and will kick of the NCS playoffs this weekend when they host San Rafael on Saturday afternoon.

For more on Hagler’s big week, see Crusaders get back on track, secure co-championship in the B4 …

Submitted photo

Nora Talty

College of the Redwoods Basketball, Sophomore

Talty looks set to play a key role for a reinvigorated CR team this fall, a roster that features 14 players after barely being able to field a team for much of last year.

Through three games, the former Arcata Tiger is averaging 16.6 points and seven rebounds as the CR women got the season off to a 2-1 start last weekend.

For more on her big week, see COLLEGE BASKETBALL — CR teams both now 2-1; Jacks get set for openers …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Ferndale Girls Soccer

The history-making Wildcats enjoyed a season they won’t easily forget after clinching both the Little 4 and NCS Division-1 titles.

The Cats lost their opening game of the campaign back in August and never looked back, rattling off 19 wins in 21 games since then.

And they fielded a balanced lineup in more ways than one.

They played outstanding defense, anchored by the always reliable Michaela Ellsmore at sweeper and Tinnley Pidgeon in goal, while the midfield trio of Macie Hagemann, Claire Renner and Gianna Regli set the tone in almost every game with their cohesive play.

Up front, freshman striker Madison Hagemann was arguably the most dynamic striker in the H-DNL and finished the season with an incredible 31 goals (1.4 a game).

Several other players also impressed over the course of the season on a team that featured a perfect balance of three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and four outstanding freshmen.

For more on their big week, see Wildcats cap memorable year with NCS championship win …