CRESCENT CITY >> Losing a trio of starters before the season even began, Upper Lake Middle School eighth-grade boys’ basketball coach Tony Arroyo said he knew he had his work cut out for him as did the nine players who remained on the roster.
“We lost three of our tallest players (they transferred to Terrace Middle School in Lakeport), but I told them to look at it as an opportunity for others to step up. They did. We’re a small team, but my kids play with a lot of heart. I couldn’t be any prouder of them,” Arroyo said. “The kids kept their heads up the whole time and worked hard.”
The hard work paid off last weekend as Upper Lake, despite a sometimes rough go during its regular season, just missed winning the B-2 title in the 47th annual Crescent City Jaycees Boys Basketball Tournament in Crescent City.
Upper Lake beat St. Bernard of Eureka 31-16 in opening-round action Friday, came back with a 50-32 victory over Arcata Christian in the semifinals early Saturday, and dropped a 25-24 decision to Fieldbrook of McKinleyville in the B-2 title game later Saturday.
Earning All-Tournament honors were Christopher Fecht, who scored a team-leading 16 points in the win over St. Bernard and a team-high 14 against Fieldbrook; Dylan Armstrong, who had a team-best 22 points against Arcata as well as another 15 in the win over St. Bernard; and Ray Moran, who scored 12 points against Arcata and six against Fieldbrook. All three received certificates as well as the opportunity to win $500 scholarships when they become high school seniors.
All of Upper Lake’s players — six eighth-graders, two seventh-graders and one sixth-grader — received second-place medals. The team also brought home a trophy for its runner-up finish.
Arroyo, a six-year coaching veteran at Upper Lake, said the 2014-15 team “raised the bar” for future Upper Lake squads.
“They all did a great job,” Arroyo said of his players.
