The Faith Christian Lions girls basketball team celebrated their second-straight Lois Langford Tournament Championship on Saturday, Dec. 6. Photo by Steven Bryla

YUBA, SUTTER, BUTTE and COLUSA COUNTIES, CA (YSBC) - The first weekend of basketball tournaments concluded over the weekend as our area was represented across various tournaments. As tournament season progresses, Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports will provide updates on as many tournaments as we’re able to attend. 

Boy’s Basketball

Pierce Tournament

Sutter- The Huskies had an impressive showing in Arbuckle as they swept Colusa, Pioneer (Woodland) and Dix in with all victories at 17-points minimum.

Sutter’s lengthy frontcourt gives them an advantage that they haven’t had in the past couple seasons but are going to be a major contender in the Golden Empire League.

The Huskies are competing in Marysville’s Les Schwab Classic as they opened against Yuba City.

Sutter senior Izzy Bhatti (14) takes a shot on Dec. 3 in the Huskies' win over Colusa. Photo by Steven Bryla

Girls Basketball

Colusa Tournament 

Sutter - The Lady Huskies had a great showing at the Colusa tournament last weekend as this young Sutter squad has a great outlook. As Sutter has four returners on this 2025-26 roster, but they have a lot of talent spread through the lineup.

Freshmen Alexzia Zamarron and Gia Rickertsen got their first taste of varsity action in a dominant win over Willows on Dec. 4 as the freshmen duo combined for 26 points in the victory. 

Sutter junior guard Mia Bautista, who is a solid-veteran returner led the Huskies with 21 in the game on Dec. 5 in their tight win over tourney host, Colusa. The two wins secured a spot in the tournament championship where they faced Weed in the final. 

Weed has been a Northern Section power throughout the years and there is no doubt they will be at the top of their section bracket in February. Weed pulled away early and continuous three-point baskets built a sizable margin against Sutter.

Physicality took its toll in the game and will benefit the younger Huskies as they faced more adverse situations prior to GEL play in January.

Sutter freshman guard Alexzia Zamarron (4) drives into the lane on Saturday, Dec. 5 in the Huskies' defeat to Weed. Photo by Steven Bryla

Live Oak Tournament

There is something special about this tournament as it marked its second-straight year of providing magic for multiple milestones.

At the 2024 Lois Langford Tournament, hosted by Live Oak, there were two 1000-point milestones reached that weekend and in 2025, two more milestones were reached.

Faith Christian - The defending Langford champions rolled as they took the tournament in back-to-back seasons. Faith Christian opened with a dominant win in game one against a scrappy and competitive Lindhurst squad. The Lions were clearly the better team on the floor and won the game handily.

Faith Christian won each tournament game by 20-plus points and secured head coach Geoff Harris’s 100th career victory against Live Oak on Friday. 

The Lions secured the championship in a 21-point win over a physical and gritty Nevada Union squad. Reigning YSBC Sac-Joaquin Section Player of the Year, Lauren Harris converted more three-pointers than Faith Christian allowed in the entire tournament.

Faith Christian knows that they have a big target on their back, but they are going to continue playing their game and good luck to their future opponents on trying to stop a fluid team ready for postseason play right now.

The Faith Christian Lions celebrate head coach Geoff Harris (middle) on his 100th coaching win on Dec. 5. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Marysville - Indians senior guard Abigail Pietz secured her 1000th career point of the Langford tournament in the Marysville nail-biting victory over Yuba City. Pietz was a key component in the comeback for the win as the Indians trailed by nine with five minutes to go in the game.

Pietz appeared looser on the floor once she hit the milestone and although the comeback was big for the Marysville team, it was short lived as they were beaten up physically by Nevada Union. Indians head coach Ike Prince expressed that they need to be in better conditioning so they can run the plays throughout his system.

The Indians are playing in the East Nicolaus tournament this weekend.

Marysville senior guard Abigail Pietz (2) converts an and-one opportunity for her 1000th career point on Dec. 4. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Yuba City - The Lady Honkers couldn’t have asked for a better ending in the tournament as the consolation champions. Yuba City went 2-1 in the tournament with double-digit victories over River Valley and Lindhurst.

Yuba City junior guard Jazlene Casolis led the Honkers in their two wins. The Honkers’ lone loss in the tournament was a game they should have won as they struggled with turnovers late in the game.

Yuba City opened up with Mt. Diablo yesterday at the East Nicolaus tournament.

Yuba City junior guard Jazlene Casolis (2) shoots a three-pointer on Dec. 5 in the Honkers' win over River Valley. Photo by Chris Pedigo

River Valley - It was a rough go for the Falcons in the tournament as the young River Valley squad went 1-2 with a win coming against Bradshaw Christian in the tournament finale against Bradshaw Christian.

The Falcons two losses came against Foothill Valley League opponents Nevada Union and Yuba City.

River Valley will be playing in the Lindhurst tournament this week as they look to improve their 2025 preseason.

River Valley junior guard Evelyn Ramirez Mora lays the ball up on Dec. 5 in the Falcons' loss to Yuba City. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Lindhurst - The Blazers have a lot to look forward to this season as they had a good showing in the Langford tournament. 

On the second day of the tournament, Lindhurst pulled off an overtime victory over Bradshaw Christian, and they had great support from seniors Ashlynn Wheeler and Jayden Stone.

The Blazers are hosting their own girls tournament this weekend and will be a contender against presumed favorite, Woodland Christian.

Lindhurst senior forward Ashlynn Wheeler (2) lays the ball up on Dec. 4 in the Blazers' defeat to Faith Christian. Photo by Steven Bryla

Gridley Tournament

East Nicolaus - The Spartans faced a brutal opening stretch in the Lady Bulldog Holiday tournament last weekend.

East Nicolaus senior forward Makinze Massey led the Spartans with 18 points in the Spartans Day 2 win over Corning. 

East Nicolaus sophomore forward Avelin Machadi chipped in 12 crucial points over the victory against the Cardinals.

The Spartans held on for a tight win against Wheatland in their tournament finale.

East Nicolaus is hosting their annual Love of the Game tournament this weekend.

East Nicolaus sophomore Avelina Machado (13) goes after a loose ball on Dec. 4 in the defeat to the Spartans'. Photo any Steven Bryla

Wheatland - The Pirates were swept in the Lady Bulldogs Classic in Gridley last weekend as their only close game came in the finale against East Nicolaus.

Wheatland junior Reagan Clancy scored 34 in the defeat. The Pirates have already reached half of their win total from last season.

Wheatland is playing in the Woodland Christian tournament this weekend.

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