The Arcata Tigers comfortably advanced to the semifinals of their own tournament on Thursday after getting the better of Buckingham Charter 74-18. Also at the Arcata tournament, McKinleyville overcame a poor shooting […]
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.
Panthers overcome poor shooting to top Enterprise
By Ray Hamill — The Panthers overcame a poor night shooting the ball to pull out an opening-day victory over Enterprise at the Arcata boys basketball tournament on Thursday. The McKinleyville boys […]
COLLEGE BASKETBALL — Redwoods, Cal Poly Humboldt women both lose
The College of the Redwoods women fell 71-66 at home to Napa Valley in basketball on Thursday afternoon. Rachel Valdez scored a team-high 16 points in the loss, as the Corsairs […]
Jacks rugby to play in national semifinal on Friday
By Ray Hamill — The Cal Poly Humboldt men’s rugby team will play in a national semifinal on Friday, as the Jacks inch closer to a first-ever national championship in the sport. […]
Bell makes weight ahead of much-anticipated return
By Ray Hamill — Local MMA fighter Cass Bell has made weight for his highly-anticipated return to the cage this week. Bell is scheduled to fight Jared Scoggins in a bantamweight showdown […]
Local wrestlers shine at Battle at the Border
The H-DNL wrestlers got the new season off to a competitive start over the weekend, with several locals impressing at Del Norte’s Battle at the Border tournament. Nine of the 14 brackets […]
South Fork boys, Fortuna girls begin tournament play
A pair of H-DNL basketball teams tipped off their respective tournaments on Wednesday night, with the Fortuna girls playing at Healdsburg and the South Fork boys in action at Potter Valley. The […]
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL — Who’s playing where this weekend
By Ray Hamill — For the second straight week, most of the local high school teams will be in action at a variety of tournaments, including one here on the North Coast. […]
ATHLETES AND TEAM OF THE WEEK — Crusaders sweep weekly awards
By Ray Hamill — It’s safe to say it was a good opening weekend for St. Bernard’s basketball. Both the girls and boys teams won their season-opening tournaments, while two of their […]
Rivals come to town as Cal Poly men look to extend fast start in CCAA
The Cal Poly Humboldt men will try to extend their unbeaten start to conference when they host their biggest rivals in a basketball doubleheader on Thursday night. The Cal Poly men take […]
No clear favorite in league, as Big 5 teams prepare for Arcata tourney
By Ray Hamill — Local basketball fans will get a bit of a Big 5 preview this week, with four of the league rivals in action at the Arcata tournament, which tips […]
CR men get impressive win at Contra Costa
The College of the Redwoods men’s basketball team enjoyed one of its most impressive wins of the season at Contra Costa on Tuesday night, getting the better of the Comets 81-64. The […]
Seniors lead the way as Ferndale girls get their first win
The seniors led the way on Monday night, as the Ferndale Wildcats got their first win of the season in girls basketball, beating Potter Valley 61-16. The Cats, who are now 1-1, […]
Wildcats continue to roll, top Potter Valley to go to 4-1
The Ferndale Wildcats continued to play strong defense on the way to a comfortable 76-45 win over Potter Valley in boys basketball on Monday night. The Ferndale boys held the Bearcats to […]
Cats win Point Arena tourney; Cubs place third at Fall River
Two Little 4 boys basketball teams had strong showings at their season-opening tournaments over the weekend, with the Ferndale Wildcats winning the Jolly Roger Tournament in Point Arena and the South Fork […]
Mistakes costly for Corsairs in Grizzly Bowl, but future remains bright
By Ray Hamill — The Corsairs will have to wait at least one more year to end their long bowl game victory drought, but there’s every reason to feel optimistic they won’t […]
BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP — Another busy day for H-DNL teams
Two local teams played in tournament championship games on Saturday, with the St. Bernard’s Crusaders winning at Upper Lake and the McKinleyville Panthers losing in their own tournament decider. The Crusaders improved […]
GIRLS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP — Exciting finishes highlight Saturday action
Two Big 5 teams were involved in a couple of thrilling finishes on Saturday, with mixed fortunes. At the Grass Pass tournament, Eureka edged Crater thanks to a late Claire Maples 3-pointer. […]
St. Bernard’s girls win Cloverdale tournament
It has been an impressive start to the new basketball season for the St. Bernard’s girls, who continued to roll at the Cloverdale tournament on Saturday morning. The Crusaders made it three […]
No. 14 Redwoods men make it five straight wins
Trey Neff exploded for 35 points on Friday night, as the College of the Redwoods men’s basketball team won its fifth straight game. The freshman guard from North Medford has impressed since […]