Wheatland-Sutter could square off in later rounds

Just a quick glance at the Northern Section Div. IV boys basketball playoff bracket shows the promise of one of those can't-miss games — Wheatland-Sutter III.

The longtime rivals split their league games and settled for a co-championship — not something either school particularly favors.

It can all be decided on March 1 at Chico State — and the prize could be the Section championship.

"If they can get through and we can get through, I guarantee you it will be a fun game," Sutter coach Bill DeGroodt said.

However, both the No. 2 Huskies (17-6) and the No. 4 Pirates (15-10) have plenty of work ahead of them before that game becomes a reality.

For Wheatland, it means beating No. 5 Willows on Friday, with a likely showdown with top-seeded Central Valley in the semifinal.

"Central Valley is probably the class of the division," Pirates coach Jim Vossler said. " So if we get by Friday, it will be a fun trip up there to take on the top-seeded team."

Sutter also opens its playoff run on Friday against the winner of No. 7 Orland and No. 10 Anderson.

DeGroodt said he and his players will go to the game for a little scouting, but it is still a matter of playing the game.

"We've been preaching defense all year and preaching one game at a time all year," said DeGroodt, adding a 1-4 start ground that philosophy into the Huskies' mindset.

"And we feel like we haven't played our best game yet. We feel like we still have one in the bag, and it will come out," DeGroodt said. DIVISION IV

Gridley at Trinity

The No. 9 Gridley Bulldogs (8-17) finished fifth in the six-team BVL. No player information was available.

The No. 8 Wolves (14-12) are led by Peter Lackey and Zack McKnight who are averaging 12.7 and 12 points a game respectively.

Yreka at Live Oak

The No. 6 Live Oak Lions (15-7) are led by Bo Kanada, who is averaging 10.4 points a game, and Juan Robles, who is scoring 10.3 points.

Andrew Ward is averaging 10.4 points a game for the No. 11 Miners (5-17).

DIVISION V

Los Molinos at Pierce

The No. 2 Pierce Bears (18-4) are led by Anthony Tapia and Michael Barber, who are averaging 14.2 and 12.9 points, respectively.

"They (Bulldogs) have something we don't have — size — and that always puts a scare into you," Pierce coach Scott Burnum said.

He said his team will have to pressure the ball to make entry passes to the post as tough as possible, and play strong man-up defense without committing stupid fouls.

Jarred Brooks is averaging 14.4 points a game for the No. 15 Bulldogs (12-9) and Jared Galbert is averaging 10.2.

East Nicolaus at Portola

The No. 12 East Nicolaus Spartans (14-10) are led by Brian Johnson and Jessee Gardner, who are averaging 15.8 and 15.5 points respectively.

Travis Ledwig is averaging 20 points a game for the No. 5 Tigers, and Mike Wirta is averaging 12.3.

DIVISION VI

Maxwell at Greenville

The No. 9 Maxwell Panthers are led by John Davis, who is averaging 14.8 points a game, and Cody Parker, who is averaging 10.9.

Brian Blevins is averaging 18.1 points a game for the No. 8 Indians, and Coty Pettit is averaging 12.3.