Marysville and Faith Christian Sweep YSBC Awards

Mar 24, 2026 11:17AM ● By YSBC Sports

Faith Christian senior Lauren Harris (5) shoots a three on March 7 during the Lions’ win over Liberty Ranch. Photo by Chris Pedigo.

YUBA-SUTTER AREA, CA (YSBC) - As the 2025-26 basketball season concluded for the CIF, it’s time to reflect and recognize boys and girls athletes that have shined throughout the basketball season.

We can proudly say that we got the great opportunity to observe all 24 basketball programs in our coverage zone throughout the season.

Our observations throughout the season contributed to this list and playoff success did have an impact.

Boys Player of the Year

Steven Martin, Marysville - Martin completed his first full season at the varsity level this year as he was one of four Indians to play in all 34 games.

Martin led Marysville in points-per game (18.2), field-goal percentage (56%), and steals-per game (4.1), but the biggest attribute Martin displayed was his leadership qualities for the Indians.

Martin and his Marysville squad were a composed unit and went into a tough environment and beat Chico in the second round of the CIF Division IV State Basketball Championships.

Martin’s basketball IQ and court vision led to many highlighted-reel moments that were consistently played over and over across social media platforms.

Marysville junior Steven Martin (10) lays the ball up on December 18 in the Indians' win over Yuba City. Photo by Steven Bryla.

Girls Player of the Year

Lauren Harris, Faith Christian - Harris is now a two-time awardee of YSBC’s Girls POY and there was zero debate.

Everyone is aware of the record-setting numbers Harris has displayed throughout her legendary career at a school size of 52 that won a CIF State Division IV Championship on March 14.

Harris’s work ethic is unmatched and her willingness to see her teammates succeed will be a rarity in our area.

Harris expressed gratitude for her teammates after every significant accomplishment she achieved individually and defined what it meant to be a leader.

Her career average of 28.4 ppg (3578 total points) and 742 career three-point baskets in a Lions uniform may be complete, but the sounds of music and laughter in the Lions’ Den will live on forever.

Boys Coach of the Year

Stan Easter, Marysville - The Marysville athletes wore “Marysville versus Everybody” on their warmups this season and it couldn’t have depicted any other way the way the Indians played on a nightly basis.

The 26 victories that Easter and Marysville accomplished this season were the most in the program since the 2022-23 season and they went through a lot of battles.

The Indians handed eventual Pioneer Valley League champion Oakmont their first loss of the year on January 16.

Oakmont's only other loss this season was to Pioneer (Woodland) in the first round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs.

Easter and his team knocked out the top two teams in the Eastern League of the CIF Northern Section in the first two rounds of the CIF State D-IV Championships.

Easter expressed to YSBC that he is excited to see what this team can accomplish next year but he was always telling his team how proud he was of them on a nightly basis.

Marysville head coach Stan Easter paces during the Indians’ victory over Colfax on February 13. Photo by Steven Bryla.

Girls Coach of the Year

Geoff Harris, Faith Christian - Just like the girls POY, this was no debate as Coach Harris coached his final game at the helm of the Lions program.

Geoff went 131-26 in five years as head coach for Faith Christian and saw 855 total three-point baskets made between his two daughters (Audrey and Lauren) in a Lions’ uniform.

Harris expressed to YSBC on March 14 after winning the CIF D-IV Championship that he will always be coach in one aspect or another as he plans to attend as many games for Long Beach State as Lauren signed to continue her academic and athletic career there back in November 2025.

Faith Christian played to the final day of the season two-straight years. Harris and Lions accomplished their first NorCal Division VI title in 2025 and went on another magical run with upping a NorCal crown with a State Championship in Division IV.

Faith Christian head coach Geoff Harris gives instructions from the bench on March 14 during the Lions’ victory against Palisades. Photo by Chris Pedigo.

Boys First Team

Jordan Witt, Marysville

Izzy Bhatti, Sutter

Zackary Granger, Marysville

Preston Palmer, Sutter

Girls First Team

Presley Berry, Faith Christian

Makinze Massey, East Nicolaus

Gia Rickertsen, Sutter

Boys Second Team

Troy Bowens, Sutter

Davi Perez Marysville