Gridley, Colusa win easily to advance to section semis

A seven-day break between games didn’t seem to bother Gridley High’s boys basketball team on Friday night as the Bulldogs came out and showed why they are the top-seeded team in its division.

Led by a 22-point, 13-rebound effort from senior standout Tyler Little, Gridley jumped out to a big lead early and never trailed while cruising to a 68-35 victory over No. 8 Live Oak in the second round of the Northern Section Division IV playoffs at Farmer’s Hall in Gridley.

It marked the 13th straight win for the Bulldogs, who showed few signs of rust after receiving a bye to open the playoffs.

“We started off on a 9-0 run, but Live Oak really stepped up in the first half before we pulled away in the second,” said Gridley coach Chay Dake. “I have to give Live Oak a lot of credit. They didn’t quit and showed a lot of heart.”

Wyatt Dreesmann and Brian Wilkerson finished with identical lines of 11 points and five rebounds to help the cause for Gridley, which saw 13 of its 14 players find their way into the scoring column.

Up next for the Bulldogs (22-5) is Wednesday night’s semifinal clash back at Farmer’s Hall against No. 5-seeded Lassen (21-7).

Ashvir Singh scored a team-high 11 points, and David Topete added nine points and 10 rebounds to lead the way for Live Oak. The Lions ended the year 12-12 overall.

Colusa 75, Portola 43 In Colusa – After receiving a firstround bye, the No. 2-seeded Redhawks opened the Northern Section Division V playoffs in impressive fashion by jumping out to a 41-23 lead at halftime and cruising to a win over the No. 7 Tigers.

Gerry Moreno recorded a doubledouble with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Will Kalisuch was right behind him with 17 points and five rebounds to help Colusa to its 12th straight win. Conner Saso chipped in with 14 points and Blake Steidlmayer finished with eight points and six assists to round out the leaders.

Withe the victory, the Redhawks (23-4) will advance to the section semifinals and will host No. 3 Durham (19-7) on Wednesday night.

University Prep 52, Pierce 32 In Redding – The No. 6-seeded Bears battled but couldn’t find enough offense to overcome the No. 3 Panthers in a season-ending loss in the second round of the Northern Section Division IV playoffs.

Alex Ambriz and Eduardo Paiz scored six points each as Pierce ended the year with a 13-13 overall record.

Mt. Shasta 60, Williams 48 In Mt. Shasta – The Yellowjackets’ hopes for reaching their third straight Northern Section Division V title game came to an end with a loss to the top-seeded Bears in Siskiyou County.

Williams, which was the No. 9 seed, ended the season 16-11 overall. The Yellowjackets won the section championship in 2016 and lost in the title game last year. Ripon Christian 86, Faith Christian 46 In Ripon – The No. 3-seeded Lions’ quest for a berth in the section championship game fell one win short with a loss to the No. 2 Knights in the Sac-joaquin Seciton Division VI semifinals.

Ripon Christian’s height proved to be the difference as the Knights outrebounded Faith Christian 38-15 in the game.

Zach Rodriguez scored a teamhigh 25 points and Ben George added 11 more for the Lions, who ended the season with a 21-7 overall record. GIRLS BASKETBALL Biggs 48, Loyalton 38 In Biggs – The No. 3-seeded Wolverines advanced to the Northern Section Division VI semifinals with a win over the No. 6 Grizzlies at home.

No information from the game was provided by Biggs (20-7), which travels to play No. 2 Redding Christian (22-2) in the semis on Wednesday.

SOFTBALL Marysville 14, Golden Sierra 0, 5 inn. In Marysville – The Indians started off their season strong by pounding out 13 hits in only four trips at the plate while dispatching the Grizzlies via the 10-run rule.

Madison Powell, Raina Hudson, Hannah Clavelle, Josie Rapp and Kaylen Galaviz smacked two hits each as all nine players in Marysville’s starting lineup recorded at least one hit. Powell, Hudson and Izzy Mendoza each knocked in a pair of runs, and Clavelle scored three times in the blowout.

Rapp started the game and struck out two over two hitless innings, and Galaviz fanned five batters and allowed only one hit over the final three frames to close it out.

The Indians (1-0) travel to play Woodland Christian on Tuesday.

BASEBALL River Valley 12, Rosemont 4 In Sacramento – Sophomore Fernando Vazquez went 2 for 4 with a triple, inside-the-park home run and four RBIS to power the Falcons past the Wolverines in their season opener.

Jalen Dulai and Josh Lee both finished 2 for 3 with a double, Ayden Gould knocked in a pair of runs, Colby Chipchase added two hits and Nico Tejada doubled to help supply the offense for River Valley.

Sophomore Dominic Leblanc struck out five and allowed four hits over four innings of work to earn the win. Vazquez allowed one hit and fanned six over three scoreless innings to record the save.

It marked the first win for new head coach Michael Mink with the Falcons (1-0), who host Nevada Union next Friday in their home opener.

River Valley’s junior varsity team was tied 6-6 after seven innings of play when the game was called due to darkness.

CO-ED TENNIS Lindhurst 7, Dixon 2 In Dixon – The Blazers opened defense of their Golden Empire League title by winning all four boys matches en route to a convincing victory over the Rams.

Vinicius Heinen (6-3, 6-3) and Katheng Richard Her (6-0, 6-4) both swept to wins in boys singles, while the teams of Peter Thao and Thai Thao (6-0, 6-0), and Andrew Vang and Vichias Yang (6-2, 6-0) cruised to easy victories in boys doubles action.

On the girl side, Kristin Vang won her singles match, 6-7(4), 6-1, 7-5, and the doubles team of Daisha Lor and Annie Yang won their match 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. Rounding out the winners for Lindhurst was the mixed doubles team of Pheng Thao and Kathy Vang, which won by a score of 6-3, 6-3.

The Blazers (2-1, 1-0) continue GEL play on Tuesday at home against Marysville.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL Pioneer 3, Wheatland 2 In Woodland – The Pirates dropped their season opener to the Patriots by the closest of margins, losing by game scores of 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 22-25 and 15-10.

Zhen Tabelin finished with five kills, 17 assists, 11 digs and five aces, Michael Simmons added six kills, nine digs and four aces, and Adrien Xayasane contributed six kills, six digs and two assists for Wheatland (0-1).

JV BASEBALL Liberty Ranch 6, Sutter 1 In Galt – The Huskies opened their season with a loss to the Hawks. Jack Swartz went 2 for 3 and James Tapia drove in Sutter’s lone run.