MARYSVILLE, CA (YSBC) - The Marysville High School was jammed packed on Feb. 20 as the Yuba-Sutter community witnessed a local postseason basketball matchup between two of our area's top-basketball squads.

The Indians and the Sutter Union Huskies boys’ teams battled in the second round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs.

This was the first time the two programs met in the postseason and the first time they’ve shared the hardwood since 2024, when both were members in the Pioneer Valley League.

Both teams wanted this matchup when the brackets were released on Feb. 14 and it made the area come together for a great night of basketball.

The teams are familiar with one another as they have been teammates, competitors and friends through Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) throughout their youth.

The Marysville Indians defeated the Sutter Huskies 72-68 on Feb. 20 in the second round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs. Photo by Steven Bryla

Sutter jumped out to an early advantage and their size was a big help in the first quarter.

The Huskies jumped out to a 10-point lead as they clicked on all cylinders from the floor.

Sutter was aggressive with getting the ball inside the paint to junior Troy Bowens on the first few possessions of the game and established his place in the paint.

Marysville found a way to detour the inside pass and forced the Huskies to shoot from the perimeter.

Sutter converted three shots from beyond the arc and led 19-9 at the end of the first.

The Indians found their composure in the second quarter and quickly picked up the intensity with their run-and-gun offense.

Marysville was without sophomore guard Davi Perez, who watched the game from the bench due to an injury.

Sutter junior Izzy Bhatti (14) drives to the basket on Feb. 20 in the Huskies’ defeat to Marysville. Photo by Steven Bryla

Despite Perez not being in the lineup, Indians junior Isaiah Henry told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that the team knew it was “next man up” mentality.

“Karter (Ellyson) did a great job tonight and he has stepped up for us in big spots,” Henry said. “We all have faith in one another and we love each other as a family.”

Henry ended the game with 16 points and stepped up multiple times in the game and got important buckets.

Marysville cut the Huskies deficit down to four points with three and a half minutes to go and tied the game at 21 with two minutes to go in the first half.

The Indians closed the first half with a 9-0 run and took a 26-21 lead at the half.

Sutter head coach Nabeel Bhatti told YSBC the second quarter was rough for the Huskies as they only scored a bucket in the quarter and nothing fell.

Sutter junior Gave Carlos (21) lays the ball in on Feb. 20 during the Huskies’ loss to Marysville. Photo by Steven Bryla

The remainder of the game was back-and-forth as both sides delivered heavy blows from the floor and traded multiple lead changes.

Huskies junior Gabe Carlos scored 13 points in the second half, including three-long balls in the fourth quarter. Bowens led the Huskies with 18 points and pulled down multiple rebounds.

Sutter junior Izzy Bhatti added 13 points in the defeat to the Indians.

Marysville junior Zackary Granger scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half as he made multiple drives to the bucket in the fourth quarter.

The Indians had the ball for the opportunity to win the game when the game was tied inside of 24 seconds left in the contest.

Granger took a contested fade away with and it bounced off the back of the rim and the game went into overtime.

Marysville junior Zackary Granger (23) shoots a fade-away jumper at the end of regulation during the Indians’ win over Sutter on Feb. 20. Photo by Steven Bryla

The defensive intensity of both teams picked up with the added four minutes to the game as they each applied a full-court press.

The game stayed within one possession until the final minute of the game. Also in the final minute, Marysville held on for the four-point victory as junior Steven Martin and Granger fouled out within the final 40 seconds.

Martin finished with 17 points in the win and he had multiple steals defensively that led to plenty of fast-break opportunities for him at the basket.

Granger made a monstrous block defensively that prevented a three pointer from Sutter to bring the game to within a point before he fouled out inside 10 seconds left in overtime.

Indians senior guard Jordan Witt hit four-clutch free throws in a couple different trips to secure the victory for Marysville.

Marysville junior Steven Martin (10) blocks a shot on Feb. 20 during the Indians’ win over Sutter. Photo by Steven Bryla

Witt ended the game with a game-high 20 points.

Marysville head coach Stan Easter reiterated how ecstatic he loves this team and is so proud of everything they have accomplished this season.

Nabeel expressed to YSBC that he expects Sutter to have a great offseason and be right back in the mix for the 2026-27 season.

The Indians clinched a state championship tournament entry as they reached the semifinals of the section tournament.

Marysville traveled to Stockton on Tuesday night for an opportunity to play in their first section title game since 2023 against Venture Academy.

The result of the game from Tuesday was before press time and unavailable.