Marysville senior forward Christopher Ramirez (21) attempts a shot in the Indians’ 51-48 loss to Sutter on Wednesday, January 24.

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Sutter Union boys basketball team swept the season series over the Marysville Indians as they beat them 51-48 on Wednesday, January 23, and took a step forward toward the playoff hunt.

As this was the final time these two teams met in the regular season due to them both being in separate leagues next season, both teams expressed to the Dispatch postgame they are excited to move on as these games are stressful against one another.

The intense battle started out in the first quarter as Sutter took an early 13-2 lead after scoring 13 straight over a four-minute stretch before Marysville scored a couple baskets.

Marysville junior guard Dennis Syders (4) lays the ball up after driving the paint in the Indians’ 51-48 loss to Sutter on Wednesday, January 24.

A great Huskies defensive play denied the Indians of a shot opportunity and Sutter ended the first with a 15-6 lead.

In the second quarter, the Indians took a couple of charges and got some good momentum throughout the quarter. Before the end of the half, the Huskies defense again stepped up and had a big defensive stop, not allowing a Marysville shot to go towards the basket.

Sutter took a 27-22 lead into the half.

Marysville senior forward Anthony Walker (24) shoots a three pointer in the 51-48 Indians’ loss to Sutter on Wednesday, January 24.

The Indians quickly tied the game in the first couple minutes of the second half as their defense forced a few turnovers by the Huskies.

Defensively for Marysville, junior guard Dennis Syders facilitated the defense along with senior center Joshiah Arrington being a force in the middle, and he had spurts throughout the night that were a huge positive for the Indians.

Sutter struggled early on in the third as they didn’t score their first points of the second half until there were three minutes and 19 seconds left in the third when senior guard Naseem Bhatti hit a jump shot.

Marysville senior forward Josiah Arrington (32) puts a ball up for a layup in the Indians’ 51-48 loss to Sutter on Wednesday, January 24.

The Huskies roared back, and after senior Jordan Lee hit a three, Sutter didn’t relinquish their lead again.

Marysville senior forward Anthony Walker (24 white), junior guard Dennis Syders (4 white) and Sutter senior guard Naseem Bhatti (23 blue) go for a rebound in the Indians’ 51-48 loss to Sutter on Wednesday, January 24. 

The Huskies took a five-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, and every time Marysville got within a possession of tying or taking the lead, Sutter would instantly stretch the lead to two possessions.

Sutter senior guard Jordan Lee (2) shoots a three-point shot in the Huskies’ 51-48 win over Marysville on Wednesday, January 24.

Indians senior forward Anthony Walker was fouled with 1.6 seconds in the game down by three points, and had the chance to tie the game, but after missing the first and making the second, he intentionally missed the third but was called on a violation for not hitting the rim. 

Sutter senior guard Gannon Deal (24) puts a layup off the glass in the Huskies’ 51-48 victory over Marysville on Wednesday, January 24.

Walker hit four three-pointers during the game.

Bhatti was fouled on the following inbound play and put the lead back to three with less than a second in the game remaining.

Sutter Head Coach Nabeel Bhatti expressed to the Dispatch they made plays when they needed to throughout the game and shots fell when they needed too.

Sutter senior forward Jagger Beck (14) goes for a one-handed floater in the Huskies’ 51-48 win against Marysville on Wednesday , January 24.

He added that the biggest win for the Huskies is being consistent with the good effort.

Sutter senior forward Jagger Beck and Lee told the Dispatch they were consistent with the effort and made adjustments on the court at the right time.

Lee and Beck added that if they continue to play their type of games in the second half of league season, the team will be good moving forward.

Sutter senior guard Naseem Bhatti (23) shoots a three pointer in the Huskies’ 51-48 victory over Marysville on Wednesday, January 24.

Marysville assistant coach Verne Harris told the Dispatch that both sides played with a lot of heart.

Moving forward for the Indians, Harris said that in the rest of league play, it’s going to be about pride for Marysville.

The Indians bounced back on Friday, January 26, with a victory over Center. They hosted Colfax this past Wednesday and travel to Lincoln tonight as they play at Twelve Bridges.

The Huskies hosted Center on Wednesday night in hopes of avenging the January 10 defeat at Center. Tonight, Sutter host Bear River as they are looking to jump the Huskies in the third and final automatic Pioneer Valley League playoff bid.

Sutter senior forward Jagger Beck (14) attempts to put the ball up in the Huskies’ 51-48 win against Marysville on Wednesday, January 24.