GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The 68th annual Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament concluded Saturday evening when the Salesian Pride of Richmond defeated the Campolindo Cougars 68-53 in the championship game.

Campolindo graciously passed on the crown as they were the 2021 GIBT champions. With all the competitive teams in the field, it brought a lot of talented basketball players and college coaches out to watch. Walking around the gym, coaches locally and out of the area were notably in attendance as they watched the talented teams in the field.

On the second day of the GIBT, the Dublin Gaels played the Oakland Tech Bulldogs in the first game of the day for a trip to the consolation game on the line. The match up showed plenty of talent, including Dublin senior shooting guard Courtney Anderson Jr., who signed and committed to play for the University of Colorado Boulder beginning next season.

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Anderson had a great game versus Oakland Tech as he scored 22 points and glided across the floor at free will anytime. The 6-foot-5-inch guard used his length for rebounds but was also able to use his length for long strides across the floor to quickly move the ball. 

Oakland Tech had a trio of seniors that led the way, which included guards Ahmaree Muhammad and Mahlik Smith along with forward Omar Staples. Muhammad was the primary ball handler for Oakland Tech against the Gaels and had a great rhythm with his shooting stroke. Muhammad had a team-high 11 points in the Bulldogs’ 65-50 loss.

Smith used his smooth ball-handling to get around defenders and made his way to the basket. Finally, Staples was the big man on the boards for the Bulldogs as he wasn’t afraid to use his size to go after the ball. Staples ended up with five points in the loss to Dublin.

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In the third game of the GIBT’s second day, eventual champion Salesian squeaked by Clovis North 55-53. Salesian was led by sophomore guard Alvin Loving, senior forward Eric Watson, junior guard Amani Johnson and senior forward Emerson Jones.

Loving was a left-handed specialist from beyond the 3-point stripe with a soft touch. Johnson was able to drive to the lane for the Pride and get good looks at the basket. Jones was all over the entire floor as it was apparent his length was an issue for Clovis North to handle as Jones was able to snag multiple rebounds.

With the victory, Salesian clinched its fifth GIBT championship since the 2014 season. The Pride also extended their lead of all-time GIBT championships to eight with the tournament win Saturday.