Surprising choice for Big 5 girls MVP after stellar season for Tigers

By barstoolfanatics on March 13, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — After helping to lead her team to a Big 5 and Dick Niclai Tournament championship double this winter, Arcata senior Tae Wolford has been named MVP of the conference for the second straight year.

But while last year she shared the award with her equally impressive twin sister Mae Wolford, in a surprise move this season Tae has been named MVP on her own.

The two-time MVP played a hugely influential role on her team, averaging a team-best 17.7 points a game, as well as 5.7 rebounds and a very impressive four steals a game, a stat that showcased her tenacity.

Her sister, who was included on the all-league team, also was hugely influential for the conference champs.

Mae averaged 14.8 points a game and 3.9 steals, but was more dominant on the boards than Tae, pulling down a team-high 8.1 rebounds a game.

Incredibly, between the two sisters they average almost eight steals a game.

Arcata head coach Charlie Espinoza, however, felt both players deserved to be co-MVPs, as they were a year ago.

“I feel that Mae deserves the nod as well,” he said. “Mae and Tae were both dominant figures in the H-DNL this year.

“They both play with so much tenacity and passion that it’s clear to me, and I hope everyone in the area, that both deserve MVP.”

In truth, there was little to separate the two on the court for the past three seasons.

But it was more than her play that earned Tae the respect of her opponents this year.

“Tae was our leader and was who we looked to control the ball during moments that mattered the most,” Espinoza said.

When the game was on the line, it was Tae who had the ball in her hands, but that wasn’t just because of her clutch play.

Tae Wolford

Mae Wolford

“Tae is the Big 5 MVP, but I want it to be known the reason we were so confident in shots going up is because we knew if the ball didn’t fall Mae was going to go get it,” the Arcata coach said. “I’m so proud of those two and am so lucky to have built bonds with both of them. They empower young ladies all over this county.”

The coach added of Tae, “End-of-game situations, Tae had the ball, she made the plays, and we backed the decision she made on the court 1000 percent. She had multiple 30-point games this year and made huge buckets when we needed it.”

The Tigers had four other players receive all-league recognition, including a third all-league selection, senior Mia Cueto.

Cueto, who averaged 6.5 points a game, will continue her career at San Diego Mesa College next year.

A trio of very talented sophomores — Betty Miles, Anevay Gruetzmacher and Colby Eisner — each were named as honorable mentions for the Arcata girls, who finished the season 18-5 overall and 7-12.

The Eureka Loggers, meanwhile, had two selections on the all-league team after finishing second in the Big 5.

Junior Tiarah Maualuga and senior Nashya Williams each made the grade after outstanding winters for both players, including leading their team a big win over the Tigers in both schools’ final conference game.

Tiarah Maualuga

Nashya Williams

Senior Madelyn Fazio and junior Violla Kingsang were both included among the honorable mentions for the Loggers, who closed out the season 18-10 and 5-3 in the Big 5.

The Del Norte girls finished third in the Big 5 and also had two all-league selections and two honorable mentions.

Impressive sophomore Jaylee Keeling was included on the all-league team along with senior teammate Kansas Coulson.

The Warriors, who finished the season 11-12 overall and 4-4 in the Big 5, also had senior Bliss Blackburn and freshman Josephine Antonetti included as honorable mentions.

The Fortuna Huskies also were represented on the all-league team, with freshman Kaleya Parkinson getting the nod.

The outstanding youngster averaged a team-high 10.8 points a game, to go with 6.6 rebounds a game, and she is the only freshman on the all-league team.

Her teammates Macee Marquez, Taylor Heussler and Evalynn Little were included as honorable mentions for the Huskies, who finished the season 16-11 overall and 2-6 in the Big 5.

Rounding out the all-league selections is another outstanding sophomore.

McKinleyville’s Lily Battilocchi got the nod on a very young Panthers team that featured several freshmen and sophomores.

Fellow sophomore Olivia Murphy and freshman Cabella Carper each also received an honorable mention for the Panthers, who finished the season 12-13 overall and 2-6 in conference.