Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Monday’s game at Arcata High.

By Ray Hamill — The 2026 Dick Niclai Tournament tipped off on Monday night with four first-round games taking place.

In girls action, Big 5 No. 2 seed Eureka comfortably took care of business against Del Norte at Jay Willard Gymnasium, beating their conference rivals 48-31.

The win sets up a semifinal showdown against Little 4 champs St. Bernard’s at College of the Redwoods on Thursday night.

Ferndale also advanced to Thursday’s semifinals.

The Wildcats, who are the No. 2 seeds from the Little 4, welcomed No. 3 seed Hoopa to Ferndale High and won 56-35.

The Ferndale girls will play Big 5 champs Arcata in their semifinal, also at CR.

In boys first-round action, the Del Norte Warriors traveled south for the third time in four days and won for the third time in four days.

The Warriors, who are the No. 3 seeds from the Big 5 and needed a play-in game victory at Eureka on Saturday night just to make the tournament, played at Arcata and beat the No. 2 Tigers 72-68.

And rounding out a busy opening night of tournament action, the Hoopa boys defeated Ferndale.

The No. 2 seed Warriors took care of business against No. 3 Wildcats 65-56.

The boys semifinals will take place on Tuesday night at College of the Redwoods.

Del Norte wil play St. Bernard’s at 6 p.m., followed by Hoopa and McKinleyville at 7:30 p.m.

We’ll have much more on all four opening-round games on Tuesday.

Click here for full tournament schedule and results.

Action from Monday’s game at Eureka High.