GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The 7th and 8th grade boys basketball teams of Sycamore Middle School hosted the annual Ray Roberts Basketball Tournament on Friday, February 7, 2020 and Saturday, February 8, 2020. The four team tournament showcased players from Live Oak Middle School, Riverbend Elementary School, Tierra Buena Elementary School, and host, Sycamore Middle School. 

On Friday, the 8th grade basketball team tipped off first against Live Oak Middle School in front of a packed crowd consisting of the student body and faculty. The Sycamore Bullpups took the victory over Live Oak by a six point margin. The 7th grade basketball team got their tournament started against Live Oak as well, taking the first day victory like the 8th graders. 

On Saturday, the 7th grade team tipped off against Tierra Buena for first and second place. In a tough battle throughout, the Sycamore team fell to Tierra Buena and placed second in the tournament. Luis Murillo received the All Tourney award for his play throughout the tournament. The 8th grade boys tipped off against Riverbend for the last game of the tournament to decide first and second place. The first half of the game was a tough battle for the Bullpups, going into halftime down by 16 points. Fighting through adversity throughout the third and fourth quarters, the Sycamore 8th graders managed to come back and go ahead by three points late in the game. After completing a 4-point play on a made 3-point basket and ensuing free throw, Riverbend went up by one point with 16 seconds remaining in the game. A late turnover by the Bullpups left eight seconds on the clock with all hope closing in. But a full court press by Sycamore forced a Riverbend turnover with only seconds on the clock. A beautifully dialed up play under the Bullpups basket, with a throw in from Emmet Smallwood to Connor Johns, and back to a posted up Smallwood, hit the winning shot as time expired. Smallwood received the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and teammate Bryan Brown, received the All Tourney award. 

Ray Roberts was a long time resident of the Gridley community. He dedicated 67 years to teaching, coaching, and refereeing athletics. He served as a teacher, principal, and attendance officer throughout his career. “Roberts Court”, where the basketball tournament is held, was dedicated to Roberts February 7, 2003.