Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Henry Turner has been named Big 5 MVP in boys basketball.

By Ray Hamill — McKinleyville senior Henry Turner IV has beaten out a competitive field of players to earn MVP honors in Big 5 boys basketball.

The Panthers standout was one of his team’s most consistent performers in an historic season that saw them clinch a first-ever outright Big 5 title and a second straight Dick Niclai Tournament championship.

But that’s just half the story.

Turner’s quiet leadership and approach to the game is what set him apart from his peers and earned him the prestigious accolade.

“He takes feedback and works on his craft,” McKinleyville head coach Chris Davis said. “There’s no pushback, no weird look, no gruff, just a nod or a ‘yes coach’ and then he immediately looks to correct and improve.

“He has been one of the most coachable players I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring in this role.”

And that attitude and drive to improve is what has made Turner one of the most improved players in the H-DNL during his high school career.

“One of the first things I learned about Henry from people close to him is his improvement since middle school,” Davis added. “I’ve known him as a coach for three years and I know he has put in countless hours of practice to become the player he is today.”

This winter Turner averaged team-highs in points (14.5) and rebounds (5.9) and was a huge driving force on the Panthers’ path to success and historic campaign.

But that was no fluke and all the hard work and gym time paid big dividends this winter as he adapted to a bigger role for his team.

“Last season Henry knew his role on the team was to be that outside threat to stretch the defense, be a good on- and off-ball defender and rebound. He did just that,” Davis said. “This season he knew his role would change slightly with Bode (Douglass’) ACL injury and he made the adjustments.”

Neil Moon

Bode Douglass

He also helped set the tone for his teammates.

“He took on his quiet lead-by-example style and proved every day in practice how he’s reached this level,” Davis said. “He’s humble. He doesn’t need the spotlight. For a high school team, that kind of quiet leadership is invaluable.

“This MVP award is well deserved and a reflection of his work ethic and the impact he had on this team and and our program.”

Turner is one of five players to receive all-league recognition for the Big 5 and Niclai champs.

His senior teammates Bode Douglass and Neil Moon each also were named to the all-league team.

Moon averaged 11.4 points and a team-high 2.9 assists a game, while Douglass averaged 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Senior Jeremiah Smith and junior Gaelen Creighton each also received an honorable mention for the Panthers, who closed out the season 19-9 overall and 7-1 in the Big 5.

The Arcata Tigers finished second in league and had two players selected to the all-league team and two others receive an honorable mention.

Senior Luke Lemke, who was a Big 5 MVP as a sophomore and a contender for this year’s award, was named to the all-league team, along with fellow senior teammate Jack Luh.

Luke Lemke

Jack Luh

Both players played key roles in the Tigers’ late-season surge, a run that saw them prevent the Panthers from going undefeated in the Big 5.

Lemke averaged 23.6 points and 7.3 rebounds a game, while Luh averaged 8.7 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Heron Cromwell and Jonah Hessler, both seniors, were each included among the honorable mentions for the Tigers, who finished the season 11-17, including a 5-3 record in conference.

Del Norte and Eureka tied for third in the Big 5 and each school had two all-league selections.

The influential junior tandem of Xavier De La Rosa and Ryder Mitchell were included for the Loggers, who enjoyed a more successful postseason than other Big 5 school, winning a first-ever North Coast Section title for the program and making it to the NorCal quarterfinals.

The Loggers finished the year 19-13, including a 4-4 record in the Big 5.

De La Rosa was hugely influential for the Eureka boys at both ends of the floor and scored a team-high 17.9 points a game, while Mitchell added 10.7 points a game.

Xavier De La Rosa

Ryder Mitchell

Seniors Owen Hiscox and Eddie Gonzalez each were also included among the honorable mentions for Eureka.

Del Norte made a late-season surge to qualify for the Niclai tournament and reach the semifinals, before winning their NCS opener.

Ty Blue was named to the all-league team for the Warriors, along with junior sharpshooter Damian Escalera.

Blue was the only sophomore included among the 10 all-league players and led his team with 6.8 rebounds a game, while Escalera led the Warriors in scoring with 13.7 a game.

The Warriors finished 4-4 in the Big 5 and 20-11 overall.

Justin Cushman and Sawyer Fry each also received an honorable mention for the Crescent City school.

And rounding out the all-league selections is Fortuna junior Kye Hawthorne, who made his presence felt for the Huskies, who finished 0-8 in the Big 5.

Senior Jack Stacy and junior Tanner Franklin both received an honorable mention for Fortuna.

The all-league awards are voted on by the conference coaches.

Ty Blue

Damien Escalera

Kye Hawthorne