Defense and special teams stepped up big late in the game for a couple of local teams on Saturday night, as Del Norte and St. Bernard’s both claimed a North Coast Section […]
barstoolfanatics
At the age of 10, having failed in his lifelong ambition to become a vigilante vampire werewolf – otherwise known as a vamp-wolf – Ray Hamill finally admitted defeat and turned his attention full-time to daydreaming instead.
A mere few decades later, the world of crime fighting’s loss is now the literary world’s gain.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Ray moved to the United States after graduating college, spending time in Boston and San Francisco before settling among the redwoods in Northern California, where he has worked as a journalist for the past 20 years.
In that time he has published three books, including his most recent, Help, My Horse is Drowning!, a humorous look at the world of sports and the life of the enthusiastically delusional athlete in us all.
He previously published the outrageously satirical Free the Leprechauns! as well as the semi-autobiographical Help Me, Im Irish! - a book about the non-meaning of life.
Ray is also the host of a weekly sports talk radio show broadcast locally in Northern California on Blue Ox Community Radio, and a sports blog at barstoolfanatics.com.
Bennett, Stockwell impress at state championships
Eureka’s Ian Bennett led the local charge once again at Saturday’s state cross country championships in Fresno. Bennett, a junior, placed 73rd overall out of 210 runners in the Division-4 boys race, […]
PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP — SB, Eureka girls win; Arcata hosts alumni game
They had to wait a week longer than originally anticipated, but the St. Bernard’s girls got the new basketball season off to a winning start on Saturday. In a game pushed back […]
Cosce lines up televised fight on short notice
By Ray Hamill — Local MMA fighter Louis Cosce didn’t have to wait long to get another fight. The former Hoopa High wrestler recently missed out on the opportunity to fight at […]
NCS contenders all benefit from outstanding senior leadership
By Ray Hamill — The three H-DNL teams competing for a North Coast Section championship in football this Saturday all have a few key things in common. They all have talent, great […]
NCS PLAYOFFS — Wildcats carry momentum into championship game
By Ray Hamill — The Ferndale Wildcats will face their toughest challenge of the year on Saturday night, when they play Salesian for the NCS Division-7 championship. The Cats are making their […]
NCS PLAYOFFS — Tempo will be key for St. Bernard’s
By Ray Hamill — The Crusaders will be looking to play up-tempo in Saturday night’s North Coast Section Division-6 championship game against Kennedy and hoping to keep the Eagles on their back […]
NCS PLAYOFFS — Del Norte prepares for battle of top defenses
By Ray Hamill — Saturday’s NCS Division-5 championship game between Del Norte and Encinal will likely be decided on defense. The Warriors, who are the No. 2 seeds in the bracket, will […]
Communities get behind NCS contenders
By Ray Hamill — It might be Thanksgiving, but that didn’t stop all three local teams still alive in the NCS playoffs from practicing. All three — Del Norte, St. Bernard’s and […]
More than just a section title on the line this weekend
By Ray Hamill — Three H-DNL teams will play in a North Coast Section championship game on Saturday night, and all three will be playing for more than just a section crown. […]
Local playoff teams use stormy weather to their advantage
By Ray Hamill — Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a wild one. The weather is expected to play a part in all three of Saturday night’s NCS football championship […]
PODCAST — Murphy and Northern continue to impress on the college courts
Check out this week’s Humboldt Sports Talk Podcast featuring interviews with a pair of former H-DNL standouts who are each enjoying big seasons in the college ranks. Sophie Northern of Sonoma State […]
Ferndale football back among the elite again
By Ray Hamill — The Wildcats are back where they belong. On Saturday night they’ll compete for a North Coast Section championship for the first time in seven years, making Ferndale, a […]
Sanchez named All-NorCal as stellar season continues in the playoffs
Kaleya Sanchez continued to light up the collegiate volleyball courts this week, helping Sierra College to a playoff win just days after being named to the all-Northern California community college team. On […]
Confident St. Bernard’s peaking at the right time
By Ray Hamill — If the Crusaders play at the same level they did last Saturday in this weekend’s NCS championship game, they’ll be tough to stop. St. Bernard’s is firing on […]
Del Norte coaches put players in position to make history
By Ray Hamill — If the Warriors are the H-DNL’s version of the Star Trek Enterprise, boldly going where no other Del Norte football team has gone before, then their Captain Kirk […]
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK — An historic few days for H-DNL sports
By Ray Hamill — Two cross country rivals, a tennis partnership and a history-making football program are all featured among this week’s Humboldt Sports athletes and team of the week. Eureka’s Ian […]
Where to watch, listen to this weekend’s NCS championship games
By Ray Hamill — It’s a case of good news, bad news for local fans ahead of a busy weekend of North Coast Section football action. The good news is that all […]
BASKETBALL ROUNDUP — Arcata boys top Hoopa; Eureka games canceled
Four Arcata players scored in double digits on Monday night, as the Tigers defeated Hoopa 64-24 in boys’ basketball. Niko Zambas and Brandon Bento-Jackson each scored 11 points in the win, while […]
Eureka boys excited for new season after alumni showdown
The Eureka boys got in some valuable game time on the basketball court on Saturday, hosting their annual alumni game. And despite losing a close game 70-68, varsity head coach Robbie Thompson […]