Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Tuesday’s game at McKinleyville.

By Ray Hamill — The Arcata Tigers continued their long unbeaten run in Big 5 girls basketball on Tuesday night, while the Eureka Loggers qualified for the Dick Niclai tournament with a big second half at Fortuna.

The Tigers, who had already clinched this year’s conference championship outright, made the short trip to play rival McKinleyville and won comfortably 65-40, improving to 7-0 in the Big 5.

The win, which was the ninth straight for the Big 5 champs and their 16th straight in conference, lifted them to 15-3 on the season.

The Loggers, meanwhile, traveled to Fortuna and broke open a tight game with a big finish on the way to a 49-30 win.

With the victory, the Eureka girls improved to 4-3 in conference play and guaranteed themselves a place in next week’s Niclai tournament, where they will be either a 2 or 3 seed.

Going into the final night of conference play on Thursday, the Loggers are one win ahead of third-placed Del Norte (3-4).

The Loggers will close out at home against Arcata, while Del Norte hosts Fortuna (2-5) in a pivotal game in Crescent City.

A victory for the Warriors would secure at least a third seed for next week’s tournament, while a win for the Huskies would see them tie Del Norte for third in the standings and set up a play-in game between the two schools on Saturday, with home court for that game decided by a coin flip.

McKinleyville, which dropped to 2-6 in the Big 5 (12-13 overall), saw its season end after Tuesday’s loss.

The Tigers enjoyed balanced scoring in then win, with three players finishing in double digits.

Tae Wolford led the way with 18 points, while Betty Miles added 12 points and Mae Wolford finished with 11.

The visitors wasted no time taking control of the game and opened up a 23-4 lead after the opening quarter.

Arcata head coach Charlie Espinoza was happy with his team’s performance as the Tigers continue to build momentum heading into the postseason.

“This team is special,” Espinoza said “Not only are they very driven and have talent, but they really jive.

“The constant empowerment and positivity that radiates through the team is so fun to be around. I’m so lucky to be part of this family.”

Anevay “Baby Rattlesnake” Gruetzmacher added seven points and seven assists, and Espinoza was able to go deep to his bench.

“Everyone contributed and the energy was great,” the Arcata coach said.

A buzzer-beating 3-pointer by McKinleyville freshman Jojo Marsh right before halftime saw the Panthers match the Tigers with 10 points in the second quarter as they grew into the game.

“I was happy my team left it all out on the court,” McKinleyville head coach Alisha Hunter said. “It took us the first quarter to fight back, but we got real comfortable with the dog fight.”

Sophomore Lily Battilocchi capped an outstanding individual season with another big night for a young Mack team that features several freshmen and sophomores.

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

Battilocchi had a double-double in the loss, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds, as well as six “monster blocks,” according to the coach.

The McKinleyville players earned the respect of the opposing coach with the fight they showed over the final three quarters.

“Alisha coaches with a great competitive energy and her team embodies that,” Espinoza said.

Another sophomore, Olivia Murphy, also impressed for the home team, finishing with eight rebounds, four points, three steals and a block, and she played “her best game yet,” the coach said.

Freshman Avery Bartoo added six points, while junior Lily Loomis contributed six rebounds, two points, two assists and a steal.

It was senior night for the Panthers, who honored a class that includes Liana Stumpf, Ahty Allen and Betty Weldon before tip off.

“All three brought something to the team that was irreplaceable,” Hunter said. “I can’t thank (them) enough for laying a strong foundation for the future generations.

“I’m sad to see this season end, but I’m excited for the future of McKinleyville girls basketball.”

The Fortuna Huskies also homered their seniors before their game, a class that includes Jaydyn Dalton, Taylor Heussler, Macee Marquez and Tatiana Olson, all of whom are enjoying big seasons with the team.

The Huskies matched the visitors stride for stride for much off the night and led by one in the third quarter.

But the Loggers would close out strong, outscoring their hosts 17-4 in the fourth quarter on the way to their fourth straight win and their eighth in their last 10 games.

“It was a close game with both teams battling,” said Eureka head coach Cliff Napoleon, who added “But we slowly built a comfortable lead behind Tiarah Maualuga and Nashya Williams.”

Maualuga and Williams are each enjoying strong seasons and will be a force to be reckoned with against any opponent in next week’s big tournament.

Maualuga posted another double-double, finishing with a game-high 16 points and 11 rebounds, as well as four steals, three assists and a block.

Williams also had a good all-around game, adding eight points, 10 rebounds, five steals and four blocks.

But it was the team defense that really sealed the deal.

“We played great defense in the second half,” said Napoleon, whose team held the Huskies to just 11 points in the third and fourth quarters combined. “It was a good defensive game from us and I am proud at how well we shared the ball in the second half.”

The Loggers, who are now 16-8 overall, also had 23 steals.

Marquez scored a team-high 11 points for the Huskies, who dropped to 16-9 overall, while Dalton added five points.

“The team started out well,” said Fortuna head coach Tom Chapman, whose team trailed by four at halftime, before taking a 26-25 lead three minutes into the third. 

But the visitors would go on an 8-0 run after that and never looked back

“We had several turnovers that Eureka converted into points,” Chapman added. “The fourth quarter was much of the same. Eureka did a great job tipping and intercepting passes.”

The Huskies, however, still have a shot at qualifying for the Niclai tournament and hold their destiny in their own hands.

A win at Del Norte on Thursday would see them tie the Warriors for third and set up a weekend play-in game.