![](https://barstoolfanatics.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/438a3916.jpg?w=720)
Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Arcata’s Jaden Gorge looks to set up a play in front of the visiting Fortuna fans during Wednesday’s game at Arcata.
After a couple of close calls recently, the Fortuna boys responded with a statement 64-39 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, their first victory at Arcata since 2014.
Playing in front of a packed house, including a large and enthusiastic Fortuna section, the league champion Huskies came out with a determined look about them and quickly put the game away.
The win was the 10th straight for the Huskies, who improve to 7-0 in the Big 5, having already clinched the league title.
Fortuna is now 23-1 overall.
Drew Gillette scored a game-high 21 points in the win, while Donald Willis finished with 15 points and Bradley Willis 12.
Much to the delight of the traveling fans, the Huskies led 19-7 after the opening quarter and had stretched the advantage to 19 by halftime.
In the third quarter they continued to pull away, outscoring the home team 22-4 for the period to lead by an impressive 37 points heading into the fourth quarter.
![](https://barstoolfanatics.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/438a4003-2.jpg?w=720)
Fortuna’s Bradley Willis.
Jack Taylor led the Tigers with nine points, while Jaden Gorge finished with seven, and Hunter Santsche and Mason Railsback six apiece,
With the loss, the Tigers (9-14 overall) close out league play at 3-5, but remain in the thick of a four-way battle for second and third place and a spot in next week’s Dick Niclai Memorial Tournament.
The Huskies will be the No. 1 seed for the Big 5 in next week’s tournament.
Ferndale 54, Eureka 78
The Loggers honored their senior class before Wednesday night’s game, and the four seniors stepped up with a strong performance in a comfortable win over the Wildcats.
Zach Reed, Braden Glavich, Austin Maples and Cruz Montana each had an impact, as the resurgent Loggers won their second straight.
It was also a third win in four games for Eureka, which is 5-4 going back to early January.
Reed finished with a team-high 17 points, while Glavich added 15 points, Maples nine and Montana five.
Montana also had a big impact on the defensive side of things.
“He had a great defensive game,” Eureka head coach Robbie Thompson said of Montana. “He always brings energy and leadership.”
Thompson paid tribute to his entire senior class.
“They all brought a lot of leadership,” he said. “They talked about defining the culture at Eureka High, and I think when they come back in a few years they’ll see they were right there at the forefront of that.”
Junior Jayden Thayer added 11 points in the win, as the Loggers improve to 7-14.
Kyler Becksted continued his impressive season for the Wildcats with a game-high 21 points, while Gio Magdaleno finished with 10.
On Friday, the Wildcats (8-13 overall) close out the Little 4 at home to South Fork, while Eureka hosts Del Norte in the Big 5.
###
Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.