Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — Junior guard Violla Kingsang helped her team overcome a sluggish start in a crucial Big 5 showdown on Friday night, as the Loggers defeated Fortuna 51-33 at Eureka High.

The Huskies came out ready to go and enjoyed the better of the early exchanges.

But Kingsang sparked the home team, including coming up with a steal and layup right at the end of the opening quarter to leave the schools tied 10-10 going into the second.

Kingsang and her teammates were just getting warmed up, and the Loggers began to dominate after that, outscoring the visitors 40-8 over the next two quarters to put the game out of reach.

“Our heart, Violla Kingsang, had a phenomenal night,” Eureka head coach Cliff Napoleon said of the junior, who finished with 15 points, three steals and two assists. 

But more importantly, it was her play on defense that really impacted the game.

“(She) was a terror on defense,” the Eureka coach added.

With the win, the Loggers improved to 3-0 in the Big 5 (14-4 overall) and they remain tied atop the conference standings with the Arcata girls, who comfortably took care of business against McKinleyville on Friday.

The game between Eureka and Fortuna got away from the visitors after a strong start.

“We did a good job executing our game plan the first quarter, but struggled with turnovers as Eureka adjusted,” Fortuna head coach Tom Chapman said. “We got away from our game plan and started settling for jump shots and stopped transition offense until the fourth.”

Tiarah Maualuga had a big night in the win and finished with a double-double, scoring 15 points and pulling down 15 rebounds, as she continues to make her presence felt in more ways than one.

“She does a lot for us and is becoming a great leader on the court,” Napoleon said of the junior standout.

Nashya Williams also had a double-double with another big night.

The senior finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Point guard Savanhie Phanhsavang also impressed for the home team and added seven points, seven steals and five assists.

“Coming out of halftime we did a great job slowing things down and seeing the floor at both ends of the court,” said Napoleon, who added “It was another great team game.”

Macee Marquez continued to play at a high level for the Huskies and scored a game-high 16 points including five 3-pointers, while Kaleya Parkinson added five points.

The Eureka coach was impressed with the Huskies’ fast start.

“Credit to Fortuna, who did a great job keeping us from what we wanted to do. They came in ready to play and smacked us in the mouth,” Napoleon said. 

“We really hit our stride in the second quarter with great defense that forced multiple turnovers. Violla does great up there making opponents feel uncomfortable.”

With the loss, the Huskies dropped to 1-2 in the Big 5 and 14-5 overall.

They did, however, finish strong and outscored the Loggers 15-1 in the fourth quarter.

“This game will make us better as a team,” Chapman said. “The team will learn from it and keep improving.”

Almost halfway through the conference schedule, the Big 5 is looking like a two-horse race between Arcata and Eureka, who face off at Arcata High in a pivotal game on Wednesday.

It also looks like the battle for third and the final Dick Niclai tournament berth could be an exciting two-horse race between Fortuna and Del Norte, with the two schools set to face off at Fortuna on Wednesday night.