File photo – The Arcata Tigers took over sole possession of second in the Big 5 standings with a big win over Del Norte on Thursday.

Arcata’s late-season surge continued on Thursday night, as the Tigers took over sole possession of second in the Big 5 standings with a 58-45 home win against Del Norte.

After dropping five straight games, and with their playoff hopes on the line, the Tigers have now won three of their last four, and they remain well in the chase for a place in next month’s Dick Niclai tournament and North Coast Section playoffs.

A fifth straight Big 5 championship, however, might be out of reach after conference leaders McKinleyville moved within one win of securing at least a share of this year’s title with a 69-54 victory at Eureka on Thursday.

“We’re treating every game as if the season is on the line, because it still is,” Arcata head coach Kellen Maynard said. “We have to keep our mindset going in the right direction. We have to continue to play with an edge, we have to continue to battle, and that’s what we’re doing right now.”

With the win, the Tigers improved to 3-2 in the Big 5 and moved one win clear of Del Norte and Eureka, who each remain well in the chase for a Dick Niclai berth as well.

Thursday’s loss, however, was a disappointing one for the Warriors, who dropped to 2-3 in the Big 5.

“It was not our night, and you’ve got to give it up to Arcata,” Del Norte head coach Cris Rice said. “They’re getting better.”

Luke Lemke led the way for the Tigers once again and finished with a game-high 19 points, while the in-form Jonah Hessler added 11 points and Heron Cromwell chipped in 10 points,.

Hessler has stepped up late in the season and turned in his second big performance of the week after a player-of-the-game night at Eureka two days prior.

Hessler scored two 3-pointers late in the second quarter to put the Tigers up by 10 at the break and they were able to maintain the lead after that.

“We played really well in the third quarter, and we did enough to keep them at bay,” said Maynard, who added “it’s defense right now that’s leading us.”

Justin Cushmann scored a team-high 15 points for the Warriors, who pulled within six points in the second half but were unable to get any closer.

File photo

Kanyon Starkey also had a big night for the visitors and added 14 rebounds and nine points, while Damian Escalera finished with eight points.

Markus Parras chipped in seven points, but the Del Norte boys shot a disappointing 33 percent from the field.

“I’ve got to give them a lot of credit,” Rice said of Arcata. “They came out and played aggressive defense. We didn’t handle their pressure very well.”

Influential junior Sawyer Fry, one of his team’s leading scorers and rebounders, played just sparingly for the Warriors because of injury, which didn’t help matters.

“It’s tough to beat them without all our guys,” Rice said. 

With the win, the Tigers improved to 9-13 overall, while the Warriors dropped to 15-8.

Next up, on Wednesday, the Tigers will try to continue their late-season surge at Fortuna, while the Warriors will try to bounce back at McKinleyville.

The Del Norte boys also host Eureka on Friday of next week in a game that could have huge implications for the Dick Niclai tournament.