Big 5 battle awaits Warriors

Face Fortuna at home starting at 7:30 p.m.

Junior Nick McBride of the Del Norte High varsity basketball team looks to make a move to the basket during a game against St. Bernard’s on Tuesday. Tonight, the Warriors face Fortuna at home starting at 7:30 p.m.

The past two games the Warriors have won in Crescent City by 34 and 27 points and are looking to add to the home winning streak tonight.

In Big 5 Conference action, Del Norte faces Fortuna starting at 7:30 p.m. at Thunen Gym,

The Warriors are 8-10 overall and 3-2 in the Big 5 and are currently in third place in the conference. Arcata is on top of the leader board at 5-0 after defeating second place McKinleyville (4-2 in the Big 5) 42-39 Tuesday night. The top three Big 5 teams earn a berth to the postseason Dick Nicali Memorial Tournament,  which pits teams from both the Big 5 and Little 4 Conference.

While the Warriors soundly defeated the Huskies on Jan. 20 on the road 50-34, head coach Scott Alexander said his players understand that they can’t look past any team, especially with a berth in the postseason at stake.

“This is a big game,” he said.  “This has tournament implications for us. We need to take care of business and build on what we  have done the past two games.”

Alexander said since his team is not the biggest squad it needs to play smart, sound basketball, especially on defense.

“We want to be battling on every defensive possession,” he said.

Last  Thursday the Warriors crushed Eureka 66-32. On Tuesday night Del Norte routed  Little 4 opponent  St Bernard’s  58-31.

Alexander said winning in dominating fashion like this “builds some momentum and extra confidence.”

The junior varsity contest is at 6 p.m. and the freshman game  begins at 4:30 p.m.

Alexander said that tonight is senior  night, and members of the basketball and cheerleading squads will be honored.

This year’s Warriors basketball seniors are Zach Hegelmeyer, Michael Johnson, Chris Scott and Scottie Skeen

On Tuesday the Warriors face Arcata on the road and look to improve on their first meeting, when Del Norte lost at home by 17. The Warriors end the regular season next Thursday at home against McKinleyville.