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The Weed Lady Cougars left little doubt they’re the top cats in Siskiyou County girls basketball, as they defeated the Dunsmuir Lady Tigers 68-30 on Thursday night in Dunsmuir.

Weed led 19-9 after the first quarter, and limited Dunsmuir to just two points in the second quarter, to go into the intermission leading 29-11.

The Lady Tigers were able to put 19 points on the board in the second half, with Marki Stibi scoring well in the fourth quarter.

Karene Marshall led Weed with 14 points. Tyresha Leonard added 12, and Jillian Neel contributed 10 points.

Stibi led the Lady Tigers with 14, and Chelsea Helms put up 12 points. (more…)

Fans from both sides got their money’s worth on Thursday night when the Weed Cougars and Dunsmuir Tigers tangled in Dunsmuir. There was rarely more than two or three points separating the squads and neither team led by more than a basket at the end of a quarter, with the Tigers leading 19-17 at the end of the first quarter, and 37-36 at the half. Weed led 50-49 going into the final frame, and won 73-70, as the Tigers’ last shot came up about an inch short of sending the game to overtime. This may of been the best game between Siskiyou County teams so far this season. Hey, even the halftime show was good.

The Tigers led 49-47 late in the fourth quarter, when Cougar Tommy Haosouphanthong completed a 3-point play the hard way to give Weed a 50-49 lead at the end of three quarters.

Dunsmuir regained the lead, 51-50, when Skylar Padula set up Mason Mekeel for a hoop to open the fourth quarter scoring. Weed came back with buckets from Brandon Williams and Caleb Goltz to go up 54-51. A basket by Mekeel and a coast-to-coast drive by Daniel Ballard gave the Tigers the advantage, 55-54, with 6:20 to play in the game. (more…)

Girls

Mt. Shasta 53 – Fort Bragg 23

The Fort Bragg Lady Timberwolves led 12-9 after the first quarter. After that, the Mt. Shasta Lady Bears decided to defend the den, holding Fort Bragg to just two points in the second quarter, five in the third quarter, and four in the final frame. Meanwhile, the Lady Bear offense played the scoreboard like a pinball machine (ask your parents what that is) putting up 53 points for the game, and outscoring Fort Bragg 44-11 in the final three quarters.

Kathryn Andrus led Mt. Shasta with 12 points. Tori Hansen put up 10, and Jeanette Ricci had 8 points.

Yreka 52 – Cosumnes Oaks 48

This was a back and forth contest, with the Cosumnes Oaks Wolfpack leading 13-12 at the end of the opening frame, and Yreka up 31-24 at the half. The Wolfpack came back to lead 37-35 at the end of three quarters.

Yreka tied it up 37-37 in the fourth quarter on a dish from Kayla Stonier to Makenzie Allen for a hoop. Allen scored again to put Yreka in front 39-37. The Lady Miners went up 45-40, when Katie Brummett set up Dakota Cash for a bucket. However, Cosumnes came back to tie it at 45-45 on a 3-point play the hard way, with 4:02 to play. The Wolfpack then took the lead 48-47 at the 3:10 mark of the fourth quarter.

Yreka regained the lead 50-48 on a basket by Brummett, with 1:47 to play. The Lady Miners sealed the deal when Ashley Ensminger came up with a steal and fed Kelsey Stonier for a hoop, making the final score 52-48. (more…)

For the fourth year, PremierWest Bank and SiskiyouYouth.com are sponsoring the Basketball Challenge for varsity basketball teams in Siskiyou County: Butte Valley, Dunsmuir, Etna, Happy Camp, Mt. Shasta, Tulelake, Weed, and Yreka. The winning team’s players and coaching staff will receive custom made “Team of the Year” T-shirts.

The winner of the challenge will be the girls or boys team that is most successful during the 2010/2011 season, which is defined as the team that advances the furthest in the North Section CIF playoffs. The challenge will end at the finish of the section playoffs and does not include any state playoff games because Division-VI teams (Butte Valley, Dunsmuir, and Happy Camp) are not eligible for state playoffs. Tiebreakers also do not include state playoff games. Games against JV teams do not count. (more…)

DORRIS – It was the match up that most 8-Man football fans likely wanted to see for the section championship—a rematch from earlier in the season when the Butte Valley Bulldogs defeated the Dunsmuir Tigers, 27-26, in Dunsmuir. There was little doubt that the two teams were the best in the division.

The Bulldogs earned home field throughout the playoffs by running the table in the regular season, and then winning their first two playoff games against Loyalton and Princeton in convincing fashion. Dunsmuir found its way to the title game by rolling into Westwood for a semi-final game, and cutting down the Lumberjacks. Dunsmuir’s only regular season loss was at the hands of the Bulldogs.

The championship game on Wednesday night had just about everything a football fan could ask for—five lead changes, defensive scores, controversial calls, tough defense and plenty of big offensive plays.

Perhaps the biggest play of the game came with a little over six minutes to go in the final frame. Dunsmuir was leading 34-32 and had a third-and-goal from the Bulldog 12-yard-line. The Tigers threw on third down, and Bulldog Will Gentry picked off the pass and raced 86 yards to pay dirt for what would prove to be the game and section winning touchdown. It was also Gentry who intercepted a Tiger pass and returned it for a touchdown when the two teams met in the regular season.

“I was just hoping no one would catch me from behind,” said Gentry after the game.

To start the game, Butte Valley won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. Dunsmuir’s opening drive stalled and the Tigers were forced to punt.

The Bulldogs went to work on their first possession from their own three-yard-line. One play and 97 yards later, Colten Struble put Butte Valley up 6-0, with 8:58 left in the first quarter. The 2-point conversion failed. (more…)

WESTWOOD – The third-seeded Dunsmuir Tigers arrived mere minutes before the scheduled kickoff time for their NSCIF 8-Man semi-final game against the second-seed Westwood Lumberjacks on Friday night. Neither the late arrival nor the snow covered field fazed the Tigers, as Dunsmuir jumped on top 18-0 by early in the second quarter.

Justin Declusin put the Tigers up, 6-0, four minutes into the game. Seven seconds into the second quarter, Jake Mekeel connected with James Adams for a 12-yard TD strike, making it 12-0. Three minutes later, Mekeel hit Declusin for a 58-yard TD, upping the Tiger advantage to 18-0.

Westwood finally got on the board with 1:05 left in the half, on a 15-yard TD pass. Westwood added a 2-point conversion to make it 18-8 at the half.

The Lumberjacks struck again a little over a minute into the second half to make it 18-14. (more…)

By Rick Marin, KCWH Radio

The Dunsmuir Tigers got a quick reminder on Thursday evening that, in the playoffs, you have to bring your ‘A’ game. But once they found it, it was over quickly for visiting Champion Christian, as Dunsmuir rattled off 36 unanswered points and rolled to a 36-22 win in the opening round of the playoffs. The Tigers (10-1) will play at #2 Westwood on Friday, Nov. 18.

When these two teams met in September, the Tigers scored 38 points in the first quarter. This time, they were held scoreless in the opening frame, as Champion was able to move the football on offense, and stop the Tigers on defense. The Tigers’ first possession ended with an interception at the Champion 11-yard-line, and the Lions responded by marching all the way down to the Dunsmuir 15 before turning it over on downs. Dunsmuir’s next possession would end on downs at the Champion Christian 31. And on the second play of the Champion’s series, Colin Gawthrop broke free for a 69-yard TD run. A two-point conversion made it 8-0, and the Tigers looked a bit stunned.

However, they channeled that surprise the right way, and quickly seized back control of the game. The ensuing possession saw the Tigers cover 68-yards in four plays, capped by a 27-yard screen pass from Jacob Mekeel to Justin DeClusin. On the play, Mekeel was blitzed by three rushers. But he hung in there as DeClusin slipped behind the rushers, and lobbed the ball to him for a textbook screen pass. The two point conversion tied the game, and the Tigers had their swagger back. (more…)

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Opinion

I’ve been meaning to write this for years. Yes, literally “years.” Finally, I’ve had enough with the North Section CIF system for football playoff ranking. The North Section’s way of determining football playoff teams is seriously flawed. It rewards mediocrity and it often denies good teams a fair shot at making the playoffs or being ranked as high as they should be in playoff points. If you want to skip all the explanation and just get to my proposed formula, click “more” and scroll down.

For a concrete example of a team in this year’s playoffs that greatly benefited from this bogus system, we can look at Gridley (4-6) in Division-II.

What did Gridley, a team with a losing record, do to merit not just being a playoff team, but a 5-seed? Well, they went 0-2 against D-III teams. They were 2-3 against D-II teams. Of course they were 2-1 against D-I schools—D-I schools with a combined 8-22 (.364) record , including that 0-10 powerhouse Las Plumas. They did not beat a single team with a winning record.

On the other hand, there were two 5-5 teams left out, Central Valley and Yreka. Let’s compare.

Central Valley was 1-0 against D-III teams, 3-3 against D-II teams, and 1-2 against D-I teams. CV’s D-I opponents were a combined 17-13 (.567), including 8-2 Enterprise and 8-2 West Valley. While the Falcons didn’t beat a team with a winning record, they did beat Gridley, 32-15, in Gridley…that’s a pretty decisive road win.

So, how about Yreka. Hmm, Yreka was 1-1 against D-III opponents, 4-3 against D-II opponents, and 0-1 against D-I. Yreka’s D-I opponent was 8-2.They beat Central Valley, 21-6, in CV, during the Falcons’ homecoming none the less. Oh, and they had that win over some pretty good team. Now, who was that? Oh ya, number-1 ranked, 9-1 Orland—a team that beat Gridley 42-7! So, the team that handed the top team it’s only defeat, has a better winning percentage than Gridley, both overall and in division, doesn’t make the playoffs?

Can you maybe see why I refer to the North Sections’ playoff ranking formula as “flawed.” (more…)

DUNSMUIR – The eighth seeded Dunsmuir Lady Tigers hosted the ninth-seeded Redding Christian Lady Lions in the first round of the NSCIF D-VI volleyball playoffs on Tuesday. In a match that saw long scoring runs by both sides, as well as a plethora of errors, Redding Christian advanced over the Lady Tigers, 3-1.

All four games were competitive, with the Lady Lions winning the first game, 25-21. Dunsmuir took game-two 25-17. Leading 24-20 in game-three, the Lady Tigers were on the verge of taking a 2-1 lead in the match, but Redding Christian battled back to win the game, 26-24, and take control of the match. Game-four went the Lady Lions way, 25-22.

The Lady Tigers’ biggest highlight of the match was likely their come from behind win in game-two. Dunsmuir trailed 15-6 at one point, but fought back to close the gap to 16-11, and gain the serve. Clara Weld stepped behind the line and ripped an ace, making the score 16-12, and starting a string of 14 straight service points, including three aces by Weld. Marki Stibi contributed four kills, Chelsea Helms a kill, and Jessica Hatten a kill in the run that brought Dunsmuir to game point, 24-16. The Lady Tigers won the game, 25-17, on a service error by Redding Christian. (more…)

The NSCIF has released the 2011 volleyball playoff seedings.

Divison-IV

Yreka is seeded 4th and gets a 1st round bye. The Lady Miners will host number-5 Orland on Tuesday, November 15.

Trinity is seeded 8th and hosts 9-seed Central Valley, on Tuesday November 8th.

Division-V

Mt. Shasta is seeded 5th and gets a 1st round bye. The Lady Bears will go to number-4 Portola on Tuesday, November 15.

Tulelake is seeded 9th and goes to 8-seed Modoc on Tuesday, November 8.

Weed and Etna did not qualify for playoffs.

Division-VI

Dunsmuir is the 8-seed and will host number-9 Redding Christian on Tuesday, November 8.

Happy Camp is the 11-seed and goes to 6-seed Redding Adventist on Tuesday, November 8.

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DUNSMUIR – Prior to the start of the Dunsmuir Lady Tigers volleyball match against the Tulelake Lady Honkers, Dunsmuir coach Lisa Kirch pointed to a banner on the gym wall.

“It’s been since 1982 since we’ve been league champions. I hope we can do it. Even a share of the championship would be great,” said Kirch.

Not since 1982…that’s 29 years for those of you counting your fingers and toes at home.

With the Lady Tigers’ 3-1 win over Tulelake on Thursday night, the drought is officially over. Dunsmuir is guaranteed at least a share of the Evergreen League crown this season. The Lady Tigers finished the league campaign with a record of 9-1, their only loss coming in Tulelake earlier in the season.

Tulelake dropped to 8-1 on the season with one match remaining. The Honkers host Big Valley (3-4) next Tuesday. A Lady Honker win means a co-championship with Dunsmuir. A loss means second place for the Honkers, and an outright championship for Dunsmuir.

As is fitting for what virtually amounted to the Evergreen League championship match, the first game was a nail-biter. Dunsmuir raced out to a 6-1 lead, behind strong serving by Clara Weld, and a pair of kills by Marki Stibi.

A kill by Ashley Lee got the Lady Honkers headed back in the right direction. Two aces from Sabrina Gribble, and it was 6-4. An ace by Madee Boyd tied the game at 11-11. A Dunsmuir error gave the Lady Honkers their first lead, 12-11. (more…)

DUNSMUIR – Dunsmuir kicked off. Mason Mekeel recovered a fumble for the Tigers. Jake Mekeel ran 30 yards for a touchdown. Randy Hix kicked the extra point. Game time elapsed 1:21—a nice welcome to Dunsmuir City Park for the Liberty Christian Patriots. It would get worse.

Patriots get ball back, Tiger Daniel Ballard intercepts a pass, Jake Mekeel connects with Ballard for a 12-yard TD, Hix hits PAT, game time elapsed 58 seconds; it would get worse (Or better if you’re a Tiger).

Add in a 4-yard TD run by Justin DeClusin, with 4:35 left in the opening frame, a 45-yard sprint by Brian Taylor to pay dirt less than a minute and a half later, two more Hix PATs, and it adds up to a 28-0 Tiger lead at the end of the 1^st quarter.

A little under five minutes into the second quarter, DeClusin struck again on a 66-yard jaunt for a TD. An extra point by Hix, and it’s 35-0. (more…)

The Dunsmuir Tigers football team rebounded from last week’s loss to the Butte Valley Bulldogs with a dominating performance over the Mercy Warriors on Saturday, winning 43-0.

Jake Mekeel got the rout rolling, when he rumbled 19 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, but the Tigers had the lead 6-0, with a little over four minutes gone in the opening frame.

Dayton Pepperdine added to the Dunsmuir lead, with a 46-yard run, making it 12-0, with 3:37 left in the first quarter.

Dunsmuir recovered a Warrior fumble, setting up the next Tiger tally. Four plays later, Mekeel went 33 yards to pay dirt, extending the Tigers lead to 18-0, with 1:20 left in the quarter.

Perhaps growing bored with the ground attack, the Tigers went to the air for their next TD—a 12-yard TD strike from Mekeel to James Adams, with a bit over five minutes left in the first half, making the score 24-0 going into the intermission.

About a minute and a half into the third quarter, Pepperdine went 44 yards to the zone. Randy Hix added the extra point, upping the Tiger advantage to 31-0.

Mekeel went to Adams through the air for the next TD. This time a 58-yard strike, with 4:39 left in the third quarter, making it 37-0 for the Tigers. (more…)