BIGGS, CA (YSBC) - The Biggs Wolverines boys and girls basketball programs’ swept the Portola Tigers on Friday, Feb. 6 and continued their dominant reign as both teams led the Mid-Valley League standings heading into the final week of league play.

Girls 

Biggs 48, Portola 34 - The Biggs girls’ team led 21-16 at the half and broke the game open after the end of the third quarter.

The Wolverines opened the third with a 9-0 run over the first-four minutes of the third that helped propel to the double-digit victory.

Biggs kept up the consistency in the fourth quarter as the Lady Tigers couldn’t find a rhythm to get back in the game.

Biggs senior Destinee Hairston (11) lays the ball in during the Wolverines’ victory against Portola on Feb. 6. Photo by Chris Pedigo

The Lady Wolverines had a tough schedule to close out the regular season as they hosted Maxwell on Tuesday and traveled to Williams on Thursday.

The Northern Section will host their playoff seeding meeting after the conclusion of all regular season games this upcoming weekend.

Biggs junior Anna Carothers (10) shoots the ball during the Wolverines’ win on Feb. 6 against Portola. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Boys

Biggs 80, Portola 77 - Biggs jumped out to a comfortable double-digit lead in the first quarter and looked like they were going to roll through homecoming with a comfortable victory, but Portola didn’t roll over.

The Wolverines led 21-12 after the first.

The Tigers opened up with a 7-2 run in the second quarter and both teams traded baskets back-and-forth for the remainder of the opening half where Biggs led 38-34.

Biggs senior Ryan Flowers (15) hits the go-ahead free throw late in the fourth in the Wolverines’ win over Portola on Feb. 6. Photo by Steven Bryla

Portola took their first lead of the game at 43-42 with three and a half minutes left in the third and they built a small bit of separation.

Wolverines senior Skyler Long was a ménage for the Tigers as Long forced his way to the free-throw line seven times in the third and 11 overall in the second half. 

Portola junior guard Jesus Silva hit two three-point shots in the third and he let the home crowd know the Tigers were going to fight for the battle of the cats.

Portola led 58-53 at the end of the third.

Biggs senior Ryan Flowers (15) drives to the basket on Feb. 6 in the Wolverines’ victory against Portola. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Tigers led by 10 half way through the fourth and Silva added three more triples, but Biggs as a collective unit from Long, fellow seniors Hunter Seipert and Ryan Flowers cut the deficit to two possessions inside three minutes to go in the game.

The Wolverines took a late lead with 10 seconds remaining after Flowers pulled down an offensive rebound and put it back in the basket.

Portola attempted to take the lead but Flowers denied them on the ensuing possession and was fouled on the defensive end and hit two clutch free throws with three seconds left in the game.

Tigers senior Edward Caballero heaved a half-court shot to tie the game, but the shot was off and Biggs escaped with a close win.

Biggs sophomore Hudson Brewer (44) shoots a three pointer during the Wolverines’ victory over Portola on Feb. 6. Photo by Steven Bryla

Wolverines head coach Roscoe Deel let out a big sigh of relief and expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that he was happy his team pulled through with the victory, but this was how all league games have consistently been.

“We have been in close games through the entire season and I have full trust in my guys,” Deel said.

Biggs clinched a share of the Mid-Valley League title with the win against Portola. 

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