Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Eureka head coach Michael Harvey talks to seniors Makaila Napoleon, left, and Paige Lyons during a recent game.

The Eureka Loggers open the NorCal tournament at home to Aragon High out of San Mateo on Tuesday night, and patience will be one of the keys for the home team.

Head coach Michael Harvey and his players broke down game film on the Dons before practice on Monday evening, and the Loggers are well aware there are no easy opponents at this stage.

“We know they have a lot of speed, and they play tenacious defense,” Harvey said. “And we need to be prepared for what they bring, which is different to what we’ve seen up here.”

To counter that, Harvey says his players will need to play smart basketball and be patient.

“We have to make good decisions with the ball, and be patient on offense, and attack their man defense,” he said. “We have to take advantage of our strengths.”

Eureka’s Dorshaela Wesson

Fresh and eager

The Loggers have enjoyed a six-day break in action since dropping their NCS semifinal match against Salesian, which received the No. 4 seed in the Open Division.

And that means they should be fresh and eager to go on Tuesday night.

They’re also feeling quietly confident.

“I think we’re going to do well,” Harvey said.

Eureka’s Kellina Pratton

All-important home game

After an impressive regular season and a solid NCS run in a tough Division-III bracket, the Loggers are seeded No. 8 for the NorCals, remaining in Division III.

And that gives them an all-important home game.

“We got an eight seed, we got a home game, and I’m happy with that,” the head coach said. “It’s good for the players. It’s good for the fans.”

CCS champs

Aragon is seeded ninth and comes into the game with a record of 17-11, having won last week’s Central Coast Section Division-II championship.

The Dons have won 11 of their last 12 games.

For comparison, they are ranked No. 177 in the state by MaxPreps, while the Loggers are No. 110.

Eureka is 21-10 on the season.

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