Redwood Times

South Fork’s varsity boys may have dug themselves into an inescapable hole after a 75-55 loss to Hoopa valley Friday night in Miranda. Now 0-4 in Humboldt Del Norte Little Four Conference play South Fork will need to beat both St. Bernard’s and Ferndale to salvage any post-season hopes.

On a cold-shooting night compounded by injury and 2 technical fouls committed in frustration, the Cubs did not look like the promising team that was once 10-1 in the pre-season.

While the rims rejected shot after shot out of Cub hands, Hoopa seemingly could not miss as four players scored in double digits and hit five 3-pointers, while lapping up 14 of 22 free throws.

Junior Cristian Alatorre led Cub scoring with 20 points including 3 from behind the arc while senior Levi Paine showed never-say-die hustle and intensity coming alive with five field goals in the second half to add to his first half pair of free throws. Senior Damian Alatorre had to leave the game with a shoulder injury and though able to return was clearly not his usual self, scoring only 8 points. Sophomore Troy Langley played a strong defensive game and put up 9 points, junior Jesus Lopez had 4 and junior Joey Wittlake had two.

Hoopa -23 -20 -15 -17 --75

South Fork -19 -11 -16 -9 --55

Earlier in the week the Cubs fell to Fortuna 61-41 in Fortuna. Down 35-16 at the half, the Cubs played much better in the second half and scored 25 points to the Huskies’ 26.

Cristian Alatorre was high scorer with 21 points. Wittlake and Damian Alatorre each had 6, Langley had 5, Paine had 3 and Lopez made a free throw.

South Fork -7 -9 -11 -14 --41

Fortuna -24 -11 -15 -11 --61

The Cubs will host St Bernard’s Thursday night with a 7:30 tip-off time.

photo caption:

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE BUSHNELL

Levi Paine breaks loose from Hoopa as he makes the bucket.