GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley High School boys varsity basketball team participated in the Herb Jergentz Basketball Tournament in Durham, CA last week.

On Thursday, December 5th, the Bulldogs tipped off against the Rancho Cotate Cougars from Rohnert Park, CA. Gridley jumped out to an early lead in the contest with some excellent plays from junior Grant Tull and senior Tony Murillo. The Bulldogs have height and speed in their starting five: Tull (6’6”), senior Colby Norton (6’4”), senior Cesar De La Torre (6’2”), junior Cameron Erickson (6’2”), and Murillo (5’8”) that seems to give them a competitive edge. Murillo’s speed helps energize the offense while the big guys use their height and wingspan to dominate the paint on offense and defense. After four quarters of play, the Bulldogs won in dominating fashion 74-45. Strong play by the depth of the bench helped secure the first win of the tournament. Tull ended the contest with 33 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals with a monster dunk. Murillo contributed with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Junior point guard, Anthony Hiestand, also contributed with 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. This was a great overall team win for the Bulldogs.

In the second game of the tournament against Corning on Friday, December 6th, the Bulldogs once again showed their dominant strength in the first half. The defense really stepped up in this game, only allowing eight points in each of the first two quarters. At the end of the first half, the Bulldogs led by a score of 30-16. That dominating fashion continued into the third quarter when Gridley put up 19 points to Corning’s 5 points. At the final buzzer, the Bulldogs pulled out the 65-29 dominating win over the Cardinals. Tull led the team with 31 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Murillo contributed with 5 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Erickson, who showed tremendous leadership on the court, put up 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

On Saturday, December 7th, the Bulldogs matched up against tournament host, the Durham Trojans. Durham proved to be a more worthy opponent than the last two teams. The Trojans were able to exploit a few weaknesses in the Bulldogs to keep them on their toes, but in the end the Bulldogs pulled of the tournament sweep with a 54-41 victory. Tull once again led the team in scoring with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and another posterizing dunk. Murillo put up 14 points this game with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. De La Torre brought the defensive energy and hustle with 7 rebounds and 1 assist in the game. Erickson put up 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.

Tull won tournament Most Valuable Player while Murillo and Erickson were awarded All Tourney awards. Overall, captains Tull and Murillo feel like the team chemistry is starting to click, but know they have a lot to keep working on. After their first few games of the season, both captains feel as if their defense is what needs to improve the most. The Bulldogs start the season 4-0.