The Del Norte Warriors will compete for a Division-IV NCS title in girls basketball for the first time, after taking care of a dangerous Lick-Wilmerding team by a score of 47-42 in Crescent City on Wednesday night.

It’s been a memorable and historic season for the Del Norte girls, who won the program’s first-ever Big 5 crown, and there is no sign of it slowing down any time soon.

Surprisingly, the Warriors started the game cold, managing just seven points in the opening quarter, before coming alive in the second quarter.

“We had a very, very slow first quarter for whatever reason I don’t know,” Del Norte head coach Justin Clifton said. “But we came out in the second quarter and played strong.”

Kaleya Sanchez led the home team offensively with 19 points, while sophomore guard Bella Stone had what the coach described as a “phenomenal game.”

Stone, who has quickly established herself as one of the most dangerous guards in the H-DNL, finished with 13 points.

Another sophomore, Jadence Clifton, is also enjoying a stellar season, and finished with nine points, as the Warriors won their 10th straight and improved to 24-2.

Kirsten Rouse added six points in the win.

Trailing by five after the opening quarter, the Warriors outscored the visitors 17-10 to take a slender two-point advantage into halftime.

The Tigers, however, refused to fold and tied the game heading into the final quarter, before the home team did enough late to secure the win.

The Tigers drop to 24-6.

The No. 2 seed Warriors will how play No. 1 St. Patrick-St. Vincent in the NCS championship game at Benicia High on Friday night at 7 p.m..

St. Patrick-St. Vincent defeated Piedmont 64-59 in double overtime in the other semifinal.

###

Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.