Learning the game

Maddison Smedly of the Redwood Reds 8th grade team goes after the ball during a game against Azalea in Brookings on Tuesday. Wescom News Service/Jef Hatch

A number of young Del Norte County hoops players have taken to the court this winter as local middle schools are in the midst of their girls basketball season.

The teams will conclude their seasons with an annual tradition, the Crescent City Jaycees 8th Grade Basketball Tournament, which will be held on De. 9 and 10 at locations throughout Del Norte County. The event features some of the best basketball teams in this age range in the region.

The middle school level gives players a chance to refine and improve their hoops skills before hopefully moving on to play on the high school level at Del Norte High School.

One team that is preparing for Jaycees is the Redwood Reds 8th grade squad, coached by Cris Rice.

The team is 4-4 for the season but has done well in defeating all the local teams they have faced so far, including rival Crescent Elk. A highlight this season took place on Monday when they narrowly downed Riley Creek of Gold Beach, Ore., 32-31.

“Our girls played well and held on for the victory,” Rice said. “It was a nail-biter.”

After being blown out by 25-plus points against Azalea of Brookings in two previous games, Redwood had a much improved performance against them on the road on Tuesday, falling 28-20.

Rice commended his team for playing excellent defense, a strength of the squad all year. They were able to hold the leading scorer from Azalea to only five points.

The top scorer for Redwood has been  Regin Loftin, who scored 17 points in the Azalea game.

Tvshina Jacobs of the Redwood 7th grade team during a game againt Azalea in Brookings. Wescom News Service/Jef Hatch

“I expect several 6th graders this year to make significant impact on next year’s team along with a core group of 7th graders we have now,” he said.

Rice said that many of the girls should move on to the next level.

“We have several girls who will compete in high school and a few who will contribute significantly next year at the freshman level,” he said.

The Crescent Elk 8th grade A squad is currently 1-5 for the season.

A highlight was a dominating 41-19 win over St. Bernard’s of Eureka, head coach Gabe Lopez said.

Three of the team’s losses came against a very good team in Zane from Eureka, Lopez said.

The squad has played better each time they have met. Lopez expects a good outing from his squad when they meet Zane again at home in the next few weeks.

Lopez said the girls have worked hard. They are focused on learning and have shown improvement, he said.

“It’s been very much a learning season for the girls,” he said.

Crescent Elk has played several good teams this year. Lopez said that this type of competition has helped the girls.

“They want to get to where those other teams are at,” he said.

 Joely Tynes, who played for the Crescent Elk C team last year, has done an excellent job, Lopez said, leading the team with around nine points per game.

Up in Smith River, the 8th grade squad is 5-3 for the season.

Head coach Marshall Jones said that this has been a good team to coach and they have worked hard to refine their game this season.

“I think we have been doing pretty well,” he said.

The sqaud’s leading scorer is Areicy Soltero, who is averaging 12 points per game.

The Smith River 7th grade team is currently 4-0 for the year. Head coach Ron Quick said this has been a fun group of girls who enjoy being with their friends and playing the game,

“All the girls get along,” he said. “Everyone seems to have a lot of fun.”