Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Liam Dyer has been named Little 4 MVP for the second straight year.

By Ray Hamill — Few players have had a bigger impact on their team in recent years than St. Bernard’s Liam Dyer has on the basketball court.

The senior is a four-year varsity player who during his time at St. Bernard’s helped lead his team to three straight league titles, a North Coast Section championship and a NorCal crown.

And now he’s a two-time Little 4 MVP after earning the prestigious accolade for the second straight year.

It’s also the third straight year a Dyer has been named MVP of the Little 4, with Liam following in the footsteps of his older brother Seth, who shared the award with teammate Aaiden Burris in 2023/24.

It is a fitting way to close out an outstanding high school career.

“Liam had a sensational year topping off an incredible career at St. Bernard’s,” his head coach Pat Shanahan said. 

While some of his teammates also enjoyed impressive winters on the court for a St. Bernard’s team that was among the best in the North Coast Section and won 24 games, including a dominating 6-0 record in the Little 4, no one matched the impact of Dyer.

And he made his presence felt in multiple ways.

The shooting guard averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists a game, including a career-highlight night at Arcata one the last day of January, when he scored a career-high 52 points on a night he could not be stopped.

But it’s not just his talents and drive that set him apart.

“Liam is known for scoring a lot of points and that is clearly true,” Shanahan said “What doesn’t make the box score is his decision making.

Check out some highlights of Dyer’s big night at Arcata below … 

Garrett Shanahan

“His basketball intelligence is incredibly advanced for his age, and his ability to read defenses in a timely fashion helped his team have success.”

Dyer, who is also an all-league selection for the third straight year, is one of five St. Bernard’s players to be recognized by the league for their impact this season.

Joining him on the all-league team are teammates Garret Shanahan and Carson Costa, each of whom also played key roles on a St. Bernard’s program that won 16 straight games at one stage.

Costa was a consistent scoring threat for the Crusaders and enjoyed his best season yet, picking up this winter just where he left off in the NorCal playoffs the previous season, while Shanahan is one of the best all-around players in the H-DNL right now and is a junior with a year still remaining.

Defensive specialist Tyler Hinrichs and point guard Prince Latimer each also received an honorable mention for the Crusaders.

The St. Bernard’s boys finished the season 24-4 and also reached the Dick Niclai Tournament championship game.

The Hoopa Warriors, meanwhile, placed second in this year’s Little 4 and have two all-league selections.

Seniors Malakai McCoy and Brian Richards are both included after big seasons for each in the Hoopa Valley.

Brian Richards

Carson Costa

McCoy was one of the most consistent shooters in the conference all winter long, while Richards made his presence felt in the paint with a big year on the boards.

Another Hoopa senior, Carlos Anzora, also received an all-league honorable mention for the Warriors, who finished the season 12-12, including going 3-3 in the Little 4, and reached the Dick Niclai Tournament semifinals and the NCS playoffs.

The Ferndale Wildcats finished third in the Little 4 and also have two all-league selections.

Senior multi-sport standouts Tanner Pidgeon and Prescott Langer were both included on the prestigious team after leading the Wildcats to a 6-11 record, including a 2-4 mark in conference, as well as an NCS win over Rio Lindo Adventist.

There were no honorable mentions for Ferndale.

The South Fork Cubs, meanwhile, had one all-league selection, with senior team captain Shawn Schmidt getting the nod.

Fellow senior and team captain, Gavin Gellman, also was recognized by the league and received an honorable mention.

The Cubs closed out the season 10-14 overall and were 1-5 in the Little 4.

Tanner Pidgeon

Prescott Langer

Shawn Schmidt