PREP ROUNDUP: Gridley escapes Faith Christian with victory

It was a tight contest the whole way, but the Gridley High boys basketball team was able to edge host Faith Christian on Friday night with a 64-60 victory at C.A. Summy Gymnasium.

The Lions (9-3) led 29-25 at halftime before Gridley's Tyler Abrego took over.

Abrego scored 21 of his game-high 29 points in the second half to lift the Bulldogs, who struggled from the free-throw line, making just 18 of 34 shots.

Leo Espinoza added 15 points for Gridley (9-5) and Emery Haddy scored eight.

Micah Atkins put up a solid effort for the Lions with 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Justin Glen also scored 14 points for Faith.

Deep Bhatti put up 11 points and Jordan Sullivan tacked on eight more to round things out for the Lions.

Lindhurst 83, Vallejo 61

In Olivehurst — Senior point guard Cedrick Thomas turned in a big night with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to propel the Blazers to a nonleague victory over Vallejo at home.

Devin Ward chipped in with a big night as well with 23 points, five assists and three rebounds, and Angel Sanchez had 13 points with two assists in the win for Lindhurst (7-6).

Live Oak 69, East Nicolaus 53

In Nicolaus — Aaron Pamma scored 23 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, and Romario Acosta poured in 23 points of his own to lead the Lions to a Sacramento Valley League win over the host Spartans.

Gurbeer Kooner added 10 points for Live Oak, which improved to 7-6 overall and 3-0 in the SVL with the victory.

OROVILLE TOURNAMENT

Sutter 59, Lassen 55, OT

In Oroville — Deadlocked at 49-49 after regulation, the Huskies outscored the Grizzlies 10-6 in the overtime period to advance to the championship game of the Oroville Tournament.

Garrett Stevenson scored a team-high 13 points and Brandon Chambers added 12 for Sutter, which used a balanced scoring attack to up its record to 5-5 on the year. Levi Stevenson dropped in nine points in the victory.

The Huskies will play Las Plumas in the title game today at 3:30 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Sutter 63, Freedom (Oakley) 49

In Sacramento — Erika Larsen had another monster game for the Huskies with 24 points and 30 rebounds as Sutter picked up a victory in the second day of play at the Natomas Tournament.

Destiny Stevenson scored 16 points and Jaelyn Hoffman added 12 for the Huskies (9-4), who face Foothill (Sacramento) today in the tourney finale.

Shelby Hill rounded out a solid day for Sutter with nine points and 15 boards.

Live Oak 33, East Nicolaus 32

In Nicolaus — Senior Lucero Topete's double-double was enough to lift the Lions over the Spartans in an SVL victory.

Topete scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, and fellow senior Anijah Clark added 13 points, six rebounds and eight steals. Alicia Curiel tacked on 10 boards for the Lions (2-9, 1-2).

Darleen Herrin led East Nicolaus (5-4, 1-1) with 15 points. Regina Gutierrez scored eight and Alana Smith added seven points.

Lincoln 43, Marysville 31

In Lincoln — Bayshta Aguila scored nine points and Haley Gibson finished with eight as the Indians (8-5) fell to the Fighting Zebras in a nonleague road game.

JV GIRLS BASKETBALL

East Nicolaus 32, Live Oak 25

In Nicolaus — The Spartans opened SVL play with a solid win over the Lions as Macie Walker scored a team-high 12 points.

Sara Cater added seven points and a steal for East Nicolaus (2-3, 1-0).