The red-hot Eureka girls pulled out another impressive win to open the Lincoln tournament on Thursday, defeating South San Francisco 51-41.
Sophia Chalmers led the way offensively with 19 points, as the Loggers rallied from a five-point halftime deficit to win their sixth straight.
Malia Guilbert added 16 points in the win, while Carly Boynton and Kellina Pratton each finished with six points.
McKenna Beach was 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.
The 7-1 Loggers will play either San Marin or Lincoln on Friday.
Fortuna 34, Ukiah 28
The Huskies kept their unbeaten start to the season going with a hard-fought six-point over Ukiah at the Healdsburg tournament on Thursday.
With the win, the Fortuna girls improved to 6-0.
“Both teams played great defense,” Fortuna head coach Scott Betts said. “It was physical with lots of bumps and bruises for both teams.”
The Huskies will continue tourney play on Friday against a quality St. Mary’s team that won its opener 68-33.
South Fork 48, Leadership 31
Kaylie Valk led a balanced team performance as the Cubs won their opening game at the California School for the Deaf tournament on Thursday.
Valk finished with a team-high 16 points as the South Fork girls took control of the game early, opening up a 16-2 lead in the first quarter.
Kaylee Cotter also had a big night, finishing with nine points, while Jade Johns had eight points and Summer Contreras six points.
The Cubs, who improved to 5-4 with the win, will continue tournament play on Friday.
St. Bernard’s 70, DeAnza 32
The Crusaders got back to winning ways with an impressive performance against a Division-III school in non-tournament action, improving to 6-1 on the season
Saulele Tanuvasa led a balanced team performance with 27 points, as the freshman continues to quickly establish herself at the varsity level.
Marayah Tomlinson and Mackenzie Finck each also had big nights with nine points apiece, while Emma Wilson finished with seven points and Josie Peterson six.
The Crusaders play another non-tournament game at Sonoma Academy on Friday.
McKinleyville 41, Windsor 47
The Panthers have certainly been competitive this season.
On Thursday night they dropped their Windsor tournament opener to the host school by just six points, falling to 1-4 on the young season.
They have been competitive in all four losses, however, losing by an average of just 4.25 points.
Victoria Claros led a short-handed Mack team with 13 points.
The Panthers had just four healthy players at practice on Wednesday and, in head coach Tony McClure’s words, just “ran out of gas” in the fourth quarter when they were outscored 17-4.
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Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.