PREP ROUNDUP: Faith Christian wins thriller of Buckingham

Faith Christian High senior Micah Atkins played with ice in his veins on Thursday night.

The Lions' senior guard drained three straight free throws with no time left in regulation to deliver his team a 69-68 victory over Buckingham Charter in a battle for first place in the Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League.

Atkins was fouled in the closing seconds while attempting a 3-point shot, resulting in his free throws.

The Lions (18-5, 6-1) led by as many as nine points, but Buckingham was able to chip away and go up by two points late.

Faith still has four games to play in the SMAL to close out the regular season.

Atkins led Faith with 22 points, while Drew LeBlanc added 13 points and eight rebounds.

Justin Glen and Deep Bhatti each put up 10 points and Jordan Sullivan rounded out Faith's double-digit scorers with 11.

East Nicolaus 63, New Life Chr. 58

In East Nicolaus — Drew Orr scored a game-high 26 points after draining seven 3-pointers and the Spartans got by the Crusaders in a nonleague game.

Dylan Thornsberry added 14 points for East Nicolaus (8-11).

Kobe Bancroft scored 20 points and dished seven assists for New Life (16-6), while teammate Sullivan Guy added 10 points and five rebounds and Chase Smotherman contributed eight points, three rebounds and three assists.

Orland 72, Gridley 56

In Orland — Tyler Abrego scored 24 points, but it wasn't enough for the Bulldogs as they slipped to 3-2 in the Butte View League.

Leo Espinoza finished with 13 points and Mat Scott added seven for Gridley (14-9).

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Yuba City 62, Pioneer 57

In Woodland — Tiffany Friend scored 17 points and Destiny Fleenor added 16 as the Honkers took down the Patriots for a Tri-County Conference victory.

Anyssa Bell dropped in 12 points for the Honkers (6-14, 3-4).

River Valley 64, Natomas 33

In Yuba City — Jagreet Gosal scored 15 points, Taylor Massengale finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks and the Falcons improved to 7-0 in the TCC.

Aleqse Hawkins contributed 13 points and seven rebounds, Minnie Bains chipped in with seven points and Amrita Dale added six points, three assists and five steals for River Valley (17-6).

Faith Christian 37, Buckingham Charter 33, OT

In Yuba City — The Lions got a 3-pointer from Shon Ritchie in overtime to help lift them to a SMAL victory.

Ritchie finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, while Abby Maddalena and Tiffany Hendricks each added eight points for Faith (11-11, 3-5). Hendricks also pulled down 10 rebounds, along with Alex Gaither, who held Buckingham's leading scorer to just one point.

Gridley 48, Orland 44

In Orland — Alexa Garcia scored 14 points to lead the way for the Bulldogs in a BVL victory over the Trojans.

Ashtyn MacFarlane put up a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Madison Mardesich also scored 11 points for the Bulldogs (8-14, 3-2).

BOYS SOCCER

Live Oak 2, Pierce 0

In Live Oak — Cristian Leos and Pedro Valencia each scored a goal for the Lions, who clinched at least a share of the Sacramento Valley League-I championship.

The Lions (10-1-3, 5-0-2) close out the regular season next week with games against Durham and Willows.

Joel Cibrian was key in the shutout on Thursday as he made five saves in goal.

Sutter 4, Winters 1

In Sutter — Sutter coach Tim Danna said the Huskies likely clinched a playoff spot with their Butte View League victory over the Warriors.

Mat Sanders and Brad Bonnenfant each scored two goals, while Sanders tacked on two assists. Garrett Wallace and A.J. Banga both assisted goals as well.

Danna credited Trent Little and Victor Anguiano with solid play on defense for Sutter (6-8-1, 4-5-1).

Colusa 1, Hamilton 1

In Hamilton City — Adrian Garcia scored the RedHawks' lone goal in an SVL-II draw with the Braves.

Colusa coach Dan Kiely credited both Jose Santana and Fernando Morales with solid play at fullback as well as halfback Felipe Granados.

Goalkeeper Fernando Amador made 11 saves in goal for the RedHawks (6-8-3, 3-5-2).

GIRLS SOCCER

Sutter 6, Winters 1

In Sutter — Erika Linch scored three goals, Jayden Garcia scored twice and the Huskies rolled the Warriors in BVL play.

Madison Levine added the sixth goal for Sutter (16-1-1, 9-0-1).

Garcia, Jenna Lewis, Ciarra Beymer and Lily Johnson all had assists for the Huskies, while Devan Reische made nine saves in goal.

Live Oak 3, Pierce 1

In Live Oak — The Lions extended their first-place lead in the SVL-I standings with a victory over the Bears.

Karla Ornelas, Alexis Lopez and Alondra Duenas all scored goals for the Lions (7-6-1, 6-1).

Duenas and Clarissa Herrera each added an assist.

JV GIRLS BASKETBALL

Pioneer 54, Yuba City 29

In Woodland — Megan Lockhart scored 11 points in the TCC loss for the Honkers, who slipped to 1-5 in league.

FROSH GIRLS BASKETBALL

Yuba City 41, Pioneer 8

In Woodland — Amanjot Grewal scored 16 points in the TCC victory for the Honkers (6-5, 3-1).