LOCAL HOOPS: Big games on slate tonight

Basketball fans in the Mid-Valley area should be salivating over the plate of games scheduled for tonight.

Three marquee matchups headline a busy night of basketball.

In Linda, the five-time defending Bay Valley Conference champion Yuba College men's basketball team hosts Merritt College (Oakland) at 7:30 p.m.

Coach Doug Cornelius said tonight's game against the Thunderbirds could be the 49ers' toughest test in conference play.

Merritt has five players taller than 6-foot-5 and holds a 6-2 record in the BVC.

In the latest CCCAA rankings, Yuba is the No. 4 team in the state and the No. 2-ranked squad in Northern California. Over in Sutter County, the River Valley High boys basketball team will host district-rival Yuba City in a Tri-County Conference game.

The Honkers have won 38 straight TCC games, dating back to the 2007-08 season. River Valley is still seeking its first win ever over Yuba City.

The two teams met earlier this season at the championship game of the Mel Good Holiday Classic. The Honkers won 62-54.

The big matchup will be between senior standouts Matt Hayes of Yuba City and River Valley's Manik Thiara. Hayes is averaging 23 points per game (leads the TCC) and Thiara is scoring 18 points per game (third in TCC).

In the two teams' matchups last season, Hayes put up 30 points and 17 in lopsided victories for Yuba City. In the aforementioned Mel Good game, Hayes had a 24-point effort and Thiara scored 13.

Senior Anthony Boykin has led the Falcons in scoring in each of the team's last three games against Yuba City.

Theoretically, there could be a three-way tie for first place in the conference between R.V., Y.C. and Natomas after tomorrow night if both River Valley and Natomas win.

Rounding out the slate of games tonight is an 8 p.m. matchup between rivals Marysville and Lindhurst at Lesta Joubert Gymnasium.

Lindhurst (15-5, 3-0) is looking to stay perfect in the Golden Empire League heading into a momentous Tuesday night matchup with Capital Christian.

The Blazers are the reigning GEL champions. Their only league loss last year came on homecoming to the Indians. Marysville is 1-2 in the GEL.