DOGFIGHT: Sutter boys get by Gridley

For 11 of the 12 players on the Sutter High boys basketball roster, losing isn't common.

As members of the school's football program, those 11 athletes are used to deep playoff runs, winning records and countless successes — then they stepped on to the hardwood.

The Northern Section's first set of playoff points were released on Monday, and the Huskies landed at No. 12 in the 14-team Division IV pool (only the top 12 teams make the playoffs).

Hampered by a sub-.500 record and 3-8 mark against D-IV opponents, the Huskies had to begin the final two weeks of the regular season with a strong showing.

Looks like some of that magic from the gridiron came with the Huskies to Farmer's Hall on Tuesday night. Sutter rallied from an early 13-point deficit and escaped Butte County with a narrow 49-46 Butte View League victory over Gridley, the No. 4-ranked team in Division IV.

The one non-football player on coach Bernie DiDario's squad hit the biggest shot of the night. Junior Levi Stevenson nailed a clutch 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter to give Sutter a 44-42 lead.

Fellow junior Trent Little, also the Huskies' starting quarterback, hit five free throws in the waning seconds to deliver Sutter (9-12, 3-3) the win.

"These are kids that aren't used to losing," DiDario said. "That resiliency is something we've built over the season."

Sutter didn't hold a lead until 35 seconds remained in the third quarter when Trevor Carr scored on a layup to give the Huskies a 36-34 advantage.

Preceding Stevenson's big shot was a 3-pointer from Quentin Hick to cut down a four-point Gridley lead.

Gridley (10-12, 3-3) had a chance to tie, trailing 48-46 with 7 seconds remaining, but the Sutter defense forced a game-sealing turnover.

With only two seniors on the roster, DiDario said this season has been all about gaining experience. Those 11 football players only had two days of practice before the season started.

"It's important us for to close (the season) strong because you don't want to go into the playoffs on a down note or with a lack of motivation," DiDario said. "You want to be peaking.

"Even though our record isn't as good as a lot of the teams above us, I think mentally and physically, we'll be just as prepared as they are when the playoffs come."

Junior Mat Sanders led the Huskies with 10 points, Stevenson scored nine on three 3-pointers and Hick ended his night with eight points.

Kevin Mattos led Gridley with 12 points and Aaron Medina scored 10.

Gridley struggled from the perimeter with only one 3-point field goal all night.

Coach Nathan Link said the Bulldogs' poor shooting night wasn't his main concern. He said his team's defense from the midway point of the second quarter on was a big reason they let the lead slip away.

"We just didn't have any energy on defense, and that hurts you on offense," Link said. "It hasn't been very good. There's things we can do better. It seems like we lack a little bit of confidence."

The Bulldogs will travel to Winters on Friday and Sutter hosts No. 1 Orland.