Gridley senior Jorge De La Torre Valle (4) shoots a jumper during the Bulldogs’ win over Paradise on Feb. 20. Photo by Chris Pedigo

SUTTER, BUTTE, COLUSA COUNTIES, CA (YSBC) - The opening week of the CIF Northern Section basketball playoffs finished up on Saturday, Feb. 21. Our area had multiple teams move onto the second round of the playoffs and here is how we look moving forward into the championship week.

Boys Basketball

Division IV

Gridley 57, Paradise 46 - The Bulldogs clinched their fourth consecutive semifinal appearance in the Northern Section playoffs as they beat the Bobcats by double digits.

Gridley trailed by five at the half, but a strong second-half effort from Bulldogs senior Bikram Kullar with 17 points propelled his team for the win.

Kullar forced his way to the free-throw line eight times in the fourth quarter and caused multiple fouls committed by Paradise.

Gridley traveled to Oroville on Tuesday night and faced the Tigers for the third time this season. The Bulldogs were beaten by double-digits in both previous meetings this season.

Gridley senior Bikram Kullar (10) launches a three pointer on Feb. 20 during the Bulldogs’ victory against Paradise. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Division VI

Biggs 93, Plumas Charter 49 - The Wolverines had six players in double figures as they dominated in their second-round matchup on Saturday, Feb. 21 against Plumas Charter.

The Biggs offense was like a merry-go-round as multiple scores had points etched to their name in the victory and led big after a 28-point second quarter.

Wolverines senior Hunter Seipert and sophomore Hudson Brewer led the game with 16-points each.

Biggs had their chance at going to their third-straight section final as they hosted Hayfork on Tuesday.

Biggs sophomore Hudson Brewer (44) shoots the ball on Saturday, Feb. 21 in the Wolverines’ win over Plumas Charter. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Girls Basketball

Division V

Modoc 69, East Nicolaus 38 - The Spartans were knocked out of the postseason in the quarterfinals of the NS Division V bracket by the top seed Modoc.

This was East Nicolaus’ first postseason win since the 2023 season. The Spartans quickly found themselves down by a significant margin at the first half.

East Nicolaus senior Makinze Massey scored a game-high 21 points in her final time on the hardwood.

The Braves got contributions from every player that they put on the floor.

East Nicolaus senior Makinze Massey receives a memento for scoring 1,000 career points in the Spartans win over Winters. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Division VI

Biggs 57, Loyalton 49 - The Wolverines went onto the road as the technical underdog and came away with the eight-point victory over the Grizzlies.

The game was close until Biggs blew open their decisive lead in the third quarter.

The Wolverines built their big lead by driving to the basket and spaced the floor phenomenally.

Biggs hit the road to the overall top seed in Weed on Wednesday for the chance to play in the section title game that’s scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28.

The final will tip off at 11 am at Shasta College. 

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