Del Norte earns win over Hoopa

Wyatt Hegnes of Del Norte High goes down the court pursued by Julian McCovey of Hoopa during the second day of the 2009 Del Norte Rotary Classic on Thursday. Del Norte won the game 67-53. The Daily Triplicate/Rick Postal

A well- balanced attack helped the Del Norte High Warrior boys varsity basketball team to a 67-53 victory over the Hoopa Warriors during the second night of the 2009 Del Norte Rotary Classic on Thursday.

Up by as much as 20 points, Del Norte let Hoopa get things to single digits in the final quarter but were able to come away with the 14-point win thanks to a three-pointer by Nick McBride near the end of the game. 

Senior Scottie Skeen lead  Del Norte scorers with 11 points, including three three-pointers. McBride finished with 10 points.

Chris Scott, Brandon Kak­itsuka and Zach Hegel­meyer each had seven points while Josh McGathy had six points and Barrett McClafin also had six points on two three-pointers.

Travis Stacey had five points and Michael Johnson four points. Wyatt Hegnes finished with three points and Layton O’Reilley finished with one point.

Del Norte High head coach Scott Alexander said having so many players score and contribute was nice to see, and he hopes this can continue throughout the season.

“We were happy to get the win,” Alexander said. “We never let them get closer than nine points.”

In the second half  Del Norte  did enough good things  to lead by 15 at the end of the third quarter.

Things started to slip in the final period for Del Norte. The energy level was not as strong on both ends of the floor and the squad let Hoopa cut the lead down to nine points.

Alexander said his team was unable to run the offense efficiently and began to lack a spark, which he said is something they must improve on.

But, in the end, Del Norte was able to pull away again for the 14- point victory.

Del Norte High junior Nick McBride goes up for a shot against Hoopa at home Thursday night at the 2009 Del Norte Rotary Classic. The Daily Triplicate/Rick Postal

Tonight, Del Norte faces  the Pinole Valley Spartans of the Bay Area, which improved to 6-2 for the year Thursday with a 66-52 win over Marshfield, which downed Del Norte by nine points on Wednesday night.

 The Spartans are a big, athletic and  quick team,  Alexander said. The Warriors must do a better job in transition and boxing out tonight if they want a good showing, he said.

“We have to come out and play for four quarters,”  Alexander said.

Del Norte JV

 In the junior varsity game Del Norte took care of Hoopa 64-44.

Head coach Kevin Baxter said his team came out sluggish and led only 26-22 at the half.

In the second half the Del Norte Warriors took control on their way to the 20-point win.

Post player Colby Japp had a monster game for Del Norte with 26 points, while power forward Austin Moore finished with 12 points.