Submitted photo – The Eureka girls won the consolation game at the Windsor tournament on Saturday.

The McKinleyville girls basketball team reached the championship game of the Redwood Empire Invitational on Saturday, falling to Justin-Siena 60-36.

Also in action on Saturday, the Eureka girls won the consolation game at the Windsor tournament, defeating Encinal 57-34.

Both schools went 2-1 in tournament action.

The Loggers started their game fast and quickly took control with an 18-5 first quarter.

Several players stood out for the Eureka girls, who have won five of their last six games and are now 7-2.

“Played great rotational defense with multiple people stepping up for us on offense,” Eureka head coach Cliff Napoleon said. 

Senior Madelyn Fazio led the team in scoring and finished with 16 points, including five 3-pointers, while Nashya Williams added 15 points and Bella Gast chipped in 12 points.

The Panthers, meanwhile, placed second at the Healdsburg tournament, falling to a quality Justin-Siena team that also beat Fortuna in the tournament semifinals.

But McKinleyville head coach Alisha Hunter believes the tough competition will benefit her players as they continue preparation for league play in the new year.

“I was very impressed with my team’s defense this weekend,” Hunter said. “Saturday’s championship game was a good game for us to see where strengths and weaknesses are, matching up against a top-ranked team.”

The Braves are ranked No. 8 overall in the North Coast Section, according to MaxPreps.

Sophomore Lily Battilocchi and freshman Cabella Carper both impressed in the loss and finished with 10 points each, with Battilocchi also pulling down seven rebounds and adding four blocks.

Both players “battled to the end,” according to the coach.

“I was really impressed by freshman Cabella Carper,” Hunter said. “She’s started to understand her role on the team and beginning to allow her natural to come out to help lift both ends of the floor.”

Another sophomore, Olivia Murphy, was named to the all-tournament team for the Panthers, showcasing the wealth of young talent the Mack girls have this year.

Murphy scored eight points in Saturday’s game, and “stayed consistent for our squad all weekend long,” Hunter said.

Junior Lili Loomis added four points, but her contributions were felt in other ways too.

“Lili Loomis brought a lot of energy this weekend,” Hunter said. “I like what she is bringing to the table. She finished with four points but brings an aggressive energy we need to succeed.”

With impressive showings at back-to-back tournaments, the 6-3 Panthers are making strides as a team.

“Overall this weekend was exactly what is needed to prepare for league,” Hunter said. “We’re playing better as a team and multiple people are stepping into rotation.”

Next up, the McKinleyville girls will travel for the Kelseyville tournament, which tips off on Thursday.