Marysville senior Jordan Witt (1) drives to the lane on March 3 in the Indians’ win against Foothill. Photo by Steven Bryla

MARYSVILLE, CA (YSBC) - The Marysville Indians boys basketball team won their first state playoff game since 1994 on March 3 as they beat the Foothill Cougars 80-66.

Marysville qualified for the state tournament as they were knocked out in the semifinals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs by Venture Academy of Stockton on February 24.

The Indians were given the No. 8 seed in the State playoffs of the Division IV bracket.

Marysville junior Steven Martin (10) dribbles down the court during the Indians’ win over Foothill on March 3. Photo by Steven Bryla

The first quarter on Tuesday went back and forth as both teams traded baskets back-and-forth.

Marysville senior Jordan Witt led the Indians in scoring with 28 points on the night, but eight in the first quarter.

Witt has hit the 10th most three pointers in the state with 110 after the victory over Foothill, but it wasn’t working early.

Witt attempted a few threes in the first, but they didn’t connect, so he drove the ball inside the paint and made floaters and layups.

Marysville senior Jordan Witt (1) shoots a three pointer on March 3 in the Indians’ victory over Foothill. Photo by Steven Bryla

Witt told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that he has a shooter's mentality and has continuously worked on it.

“I was going to keep shooting and I knew eventually some would fall,” Witt said.

Marysville opened the second with a quick 7-0 run and built the highest lead of the game until the fourth quarter.

Foothill took a 39-37 lead at the half.

The Indians had four players who ended the game in double figures as junior Zackary Granger had a big second half as he scored 13 of his 19 points in the game.

Marysville junior Zackary Granger (23) lays the ball up off the glass during the Indians’ win over Foothill on March 3. Photo by Steven Bryla

Witt knocked down two triples to end the third and extended the Marysville lead to nine.

The Indians had a double-digit lead early in the fourth and it never dipped back into single digits.

Marysville head coach Stan Easter told YSBC that it wasn’t the cleanest win against Foothill, but they got the win and moved onto the second round.

Easter added that the entire team watched the CIF SJS Division IV final between Natomas and VA.

Easter said the team was motivated because they felt like they should have been in the title game and wanted to make a statement against the Cougars.

Marysville junior Karter Ellyson (21) goes for a layup on March 3 during the Indians’ win against Foothill. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Indians traveled to Chico on March 5 and beat the Panthers 65-58, which set up a long drive to Half Moon Bay for the D-IV semifinals.

Marysville’s season ended on Saturday, March 7 as the Indians were best 68-51.

Half Moon Bay had a strong third quarter and outscored the Indians by 12 in the quarter and held onto the double-digit lead in the fourth.

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