Biggs senior guard Hunter Seipert (4) drives to the basket on Saturday, Jan. 3 during the Wolverines’ 55-45 defeat to Wheatland. Photo by Steven Bryla

WHEATLAND, CA (YSBC) - The Wheatland Pirates opened 2026 with a 55-45 in a cross-section victory over the Biggs Wolverines on Saturday, Jan. 3.

This was the first meeting between the schools since the 2021 season and their first games of 2026.

Wheatland wrapped up 2025 a few days earlier as they went 1-2 in the Lindhurst Holiday Tournament, with their lone win coming over East Nicolaus.

Biggs had an extended break between games, as they had a two-week break following their 2-1 performance in the Kelseyville tournament from Dec. 18-20.

Both teams shrugged off rust from 2025 as it took a bit for each team to find their groove in the new year and the first quarter ended tired at eight.

Wheatland junior guard Noah Xiong (22) drives into the lane on Saturday, Jan. 3 during the Pirates’ victory over Biggs. Photo by Steven Bryla

Wolverines seniors Hunter Seipert and Skyler Long split with two baskets apiece in the first quarter for Biggs, while Pirates senior Jordan James and junior Josh Xiong, each scored three in the first for Wheatland.

Xiong was lights out from the free-throw line as he converted six out of his seven attempts at the charity stripe in the first half. 

Biggs struggled from the free-throw line as Wolverines head coach Roscoe Deel expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that it’s a clear point of something to work on.

The Wolverines went 3-of-14 from the free-throw line in the loss. The Pirates led 21-16 at the half.

At the start of the second half, Xiong came out on fire as he scored 11 of his game-high 19 points in the third quarter for Wheatland.

Biggs sophomore Hudson Brewer (44) dribbles the ball on Saturday, Jan. 3 during the Wolverines’ loss against Wheatland. Photo by Steven Bryla

Seipert and fellow senior Ryan Flowers kept Biggs afloat in the game as they scored seven points each in the third, and the Pirates held onto a 42-35 lead heading into the final quarter.

Flowers and Seipert led Biggs with 15 points each in scoring during the loss.

The Wolverines built some momentum early in the fourth as they had the potential to close the gap, but Long got hurt early in the fourth and didn’t return for the rest of the game, and that’s where Wheatland capitalized and kept a consistent lead of double-digits. Wed

Pirates head coach Mike Bartolomei told YSBC that he was satisfied with the win as his team played a collective and consistent game, but they still need to improve as Pioneer Valley League play begins this week.

Wheatland freshman Hughston Rodney (24) shoots a jumper during the Pirates’ 55-45 win over Biggs on Saturday, Jan. 3. Photo by Steven Bryla

Wheatland hosted Gridley on Tuesday in their final non-league game of the season, and began PVL play on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Oakmont.

Biggs will start Mid-Valley League play on Tuesday, Jan. 13, as they will host Quincy, but the Wolverines had non-league action against Colusa and Live Oak remaining this week on Wednesday and Thursday.

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Biggs senior Ryan Flowers (15) puts up a shot on Saturday, Jan. 3 in the Wolverines’ loss to Wheatland. Photo by Steven Bryla