Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Arcata bench and coaches look on during Saturday’s championship game against Chico.

It’s been a fun start to the new season for the Arcata Tigers, at both the varsity and JV levels.

And this weekend saw both teams impress at their own Tahnia Campbell Classic at Arcata High School.

The varsity team won back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday to reach Saturday’s championship game, where they faced Chico and fell 56-46.

“What a fun family environment we had at the TCC,” said head coach Charlie Espinoza, who described Saturday’s final as a “great game.”

“Chico is a disciplined team,” the coach added. “Very well coached, and they play a fun style of basketball.”

Mae Wolford led the Tigers with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Betty Miles finished with nine points.

Tae Wolford and Annavey Gruetzmacher each added eight points in the loss.

And Espinoza was impressed with the team effort.

“My girls played their hearts out and left it all out there,” he said. “I need to adjust some stuff on my end as a coach, but it’s a great opportunity to grow.”

The team’s sophomores — Miles, Gruetzmacher and Colby Eisner — are all enjoying a good start to the new campaign and “made a big impact on the court this weekend,” according to Espinoza.

The Arcata JVs also enjoyed a good weekend, winning all three of their games against varsity opponents in tournament play, although they were not eligible to compete for the championship.

The young Tigers, who are coached by Romeo Steele, posted victories over South Fork, Emerald and St. Mary’s.

“Coach Romeo has his team looking sharp and looking to make some noise this year,” Espinoza said. “With these sophomores being varsity ready so early in the season and the JV team winning three games, it just shows how great he is at player development.

“We are so lucky to have him as a cornerstone of our basketball family.”

Other H-DNL teams were also in action this weekend.

The Eureka Loggers won all three of their games at the Gridley Tournament, while the St. Bernard’s Crusaders placed second at the Sonoma Valley tournament.

Fortuna, meanwhile, bounced back from a tournament opening loss at the Colusa tournament to win two straight games, including a 72-29 win over Forest Lake Christian on Saturday.

The Ferndale Wildcats were in action at the Cloverdale tournament and reached the championship game, where they fell 61-56 in overtime to Division-2 Windsor on Saturday afternoon.

Fortuna 72, Forest Lake Christian 29

The Huskies responded to a tournament opening loss on Thursday by winning two straight games at the Colusa tournament, including a victory over Forest Lake Christian in the consolation game on Saturday.

Freshman Kaleya Parkinson got her high school career off to a flying start with an impressive few days in tournament action and was named to the all-tournament team.

“After dropping the opening game to Durham, we bounced back nicely,” Fortuna head coach Tom Chapman said. “The team is still finding its identity and working through early-season inconsistencies.”

With Saturday’s win, the Huskies improved to 4-1.

They also defeated Pierce 42-16 in Friday’s semifinal round.

Next up, the Fortuna girls will play at the Healdsburg tournament next weekend.

Submitted photo

Ferndale 68, Cloverdale 44

Windsor 61, Ferndale 56, OT

It’s been a great year so far for Ferndale sports and the school’s girls basketball team is doing its part to keep that going.

The Wildcats have hit the ground running, and on Saturday afternoon they gave Division-2 Windsor all it could handle in the final of the Cloverdale tournament.

“I thought we played incredible defense,” head coach Chris Ardrey said. “And we played incredible defense against Cloverdale.”

Michaela Ellsmore led the Cats in scoring in all three games and was named to the all-tournament team.

The senior standout finished with 58 points over the three games, including 22 in Saturday’s final.

Tinnley Pidgeon added 20 points in the loss, while Gianna Regli chipped in six points.

It didn’t help matters when Regli and Madison Gossi both fouled out before overtime, but their teammates continued to battle.

“We hung in there,” Ardrey said. “I’m super proud of them. We’ve just got to get back to the next tournament championship. We know what to do now.

“It was a good way to start (the season).”

Ellsmore also scored 18 points against Cloverdale on Friday hight, while Gossi added 17 points and Pidgeon finished with 16 points.

All nine players on the Ferndale roster scored in that win, showcasing the team depth Ardrey has this season.

Next up, the Wildcats will play in the Weaverville tournament next weekend.