A bad two minute stretch in the fourth quarter cost the Dunsmuir High School boys basketball team during a 60-47 non-league loss to Hayfork Friday night, Jan. 8, in Dunsmuir.
The Tigers were outscored 14-5 in the final period of what had been a close game up until then.
Both teams played pressure defense and fast break basketball, according to Dunsmuir coach Kale Riccomini.
Both teams came out hot after three week holiday layoffs, and Hayfork held a 20-19 lead at the end of the first period.
The pace slowed down considerably in the second quarter, but the game stayed close with Hayfork on top, 28-25, at the half.
It was 46-42 after three quarters, then the Tigers fell back during a two minute stretch of “ill-advised shots and defensive breakdowns,” according to the coach.
Still, Hayfork’s lead was only 5 points with 1:30 to play.
“We had two team fouls and had to start fouling,” Riccomini said. “Our players did an excellent job of executing the fouls, but didn’t do a great job rebounding at the end.”
Riccomini sees Hayfork as one of the top teams in the Northern Section Division 6.
LT Hisey and Jordan Vanwilgen scored 12 points each for Dunsmuir and Nate Gonzales 11. Zack Shirley added 7 rebounds.
The coach said juniors Collin Lattanzio and Christian Deleon and sophomore Jake Mekeel  “came off the bench and sustained our pressure uptempo style of play against Hayfork’s pressure defense. I was pleased with their performance.”
The Tigers were scheduled to play Mercy Jan. 12 before opening the Evergreen League season at home against Big Valley Friday night. They then go on the road to play at Butte Valley Tuesday, Jan. 19.
“Nothing’s going to come easy the rest of the way,” Riccomini said. “Tulelake hasn’t lost at the varsity or JV levels in about four years. Bit Valley is good, we’re good, and Happy Camp and Butte Valley are tough. If you’re not ready, you’ll get a loss that night.”
JV Tigers start season 2-0
Dunsmuir’s JV boys improved their record to 2-0 with a 35-31 win over Yreka’s freshmen Friday.
The JV Tigers also won their opener against Weed, 52-44, on Dec. 18.
“Defensively we have been playing very strong, with minimal fouling,” Dunsmuir coach Ray Kellar said. “The young men are doing an outstanding job and continue to work hard each and every day at practice.” 
Kellar said the Tigers have two returning sophomores, Daniel Ballard and Skylar Padula, and “some exceptional talent on the team.”
The roster includes: Mason Mekeel, Dylan Brashear, Justin DeClusin, Jacob Greeno, Orion McRee, James Adams, Kyle Rooney, Jacob Schroeder, Corey Smith and Jeff Rhoades.
In a competitive game against Weed, the JV Tigers held a 31-25 lead at the half on their way to a 52-44 win.
“We handled ourselves very well,” Kellar said. “All players saw action in the game, and everyone did an exceptional job of running our offense and retaining discipline on defense.” 
Orion McRee led all scorers with 14 points, Daniel Ballard scored 13, Justin DeClusin 11, Mason Mekeel 7, Jacob Greeno 6 and Kyle Rooney 2. 
Strong defense was the key to the 35-31 win against Yreka’s freshmen.
Ballard led all scorers with 18 points, Justin DeClusin had 9, Orion and McRee 4 each, and Kyle Rooney and Mason Mekeel 2 each.