The boys basketball season came to an end Saturday night for Del Norte High, as the Warriors were stopped at San Marin High, 64-43, in the quarterfinals of the North Coast Section Division 4 playoffs.

Taking on the division’s No. 1 seed, Del Norte played basically even with the senior-laden Mustangs in the first, third and fourth quarters. But the second quarter saw the Warriors outscored 18-3.

In the fourth quarter, Del Norte looked to rally and got the difference down to 12 points before fading down the stretch.

The Warriors got a terrific game from Justin Cushman, who finished with a game-high 18 points. Damian Escalara added 10 despite an ankle injury at the end of the first half.

Del Norte finished the season with a 20-11 overall record after finishing third in the Big Five Conference and reaching the semifinals of the Humboldt-Del Norte League Tournament.

The Warriors won their opening round game in the NCS playoffs, knocking off Head-Royce High of Oakland 44-41.

The Warriors will say goodbye to its lone senior, Kanyon Starkey, but will return its top five scorers – Cushman, Escalara, Sawyer Fry, Ty Blue and Marcus Parras, plus key reserves Rec Woi Alameda and Junior Salcedo. All are juniors, with the exception of Blue, a sophomore.

(Photo Wyatt Patton/Del Norte High Yearbook)