Gridley senior guard Rya Andes (1) shoots a three pointer in the Lady Bulldogs’ 66-32 defeat to Marysville on December 20, 2023.

Steve Cauchi Ram Jam 

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The Gridley boys basketball program ended 2023 and their preseason with a sweep in the Dixon tournament from Thursday, December 28, through Saturday, December 30.

Gridley opened the tournament with a dominant win over Armijo of Fairfield as they had a comfortable 20-point lead at the half and ended up winning the game 83-53.

They got their second win in the tournament over host Dixon 61-47. Senior forward Aaron Kullar exploded for 27 points in the victory.

In the final of the tournament, the Bulldogs defeated a competitive team in Foothill of Sacramento.

Gridley had a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter and was able to spread it to 13 to win the championship.

The biggest takeaway from the Bulldogs preseason is the five losses and who they have come from. The three losses from the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament (GIBT) a few weeks ago were by prominent programs in the Bay Area (Salesian and San Ramon Valley) along with a Sacramento area power program in past years (Sheldon). 

Gridley junior guard Luis Murillo (3) shoots a three pointer in the Bulldogs’ 48-47 loss to Sutter on December 15, 2023.

The losses to Sutter on December 15 and Marysville on December 20, 2023, were to competitive teams in the Pioneer Valley League that will be in the upper half of those standings when their league season ends.

Although those are losses, they will help out Gridley in the end when the strength of schedule aspect of playoff points comes into question.

Gridley senior forward Shmaas Khan (13) goes up for a layup in the Bulldogs’ 48-47 defeat to Sutter on December 15, 2023.

Gridley Head Coach Nathan Link told the Herald that the Bulldogs have ironed out the offense and the players on the team are comfortable with their roles.

Link added that Gridley is also flexible on adapting to multiple different types of playing styles and they have a lot of depth that will help them during BVL play.

The Bulldogs are currently 8-0 against Northern Section teams and 12-5 overall, which is the program’s best start since the 2019-20 season. Gridley begins Butte View League play Tuesday as they host Corning at 7:30 p.m in the league opener.

Lincoln Tournament

LINCOLN, CA (MPG) - The Gridley girls basketball team ended their 2023 part of the season with a win to go 1-2 in the Lincoln tournament that took place from Thursday, December 28, through Saturday, December 30.

Gridley’s first two games of the tournament were against top notch cream of the crop teams from the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section teams in Inderkum and Placer.

The Lady Bulldogs lost to Inderkum (65-39) and Placer (58-37), but those losses were good learning lessons as Gridley head coach Becca McCray expressed to the Herald.

Gridley senior guard AnaGloria Luevano (5) looks to pass the ball inside in the Lady Bulldogs’ 66-32 loss to Marysville on December 20, 2023.

The Lady Bulldogs easily took care of Foothill from Sacramento in their final game of the tournament with a 55-9 victory.

McCray expressed to the Herald that the preseason made her team stronger and quicker. Additionally, it taught them control and seeing all of the different situations on the court throughout a game.

Gridley senior AnaGloria Luevano (5) attempts to shoot a shot in the Lady Bulldogs’ 67-38 loss on December 14, 2023, to Chico.

There is no question that Gridley has had a rough schedule in the preseason, and McCray and the Herald both agree being .500 is a huge step for this team.

McCray told the Herald that going into Butte View League play, the Lady Bulldogs are looking for their first crown atop the BVL since the 2019-20 season and everyone on the roster knows their role.

Gridley junior forward Brook Marr continues to lead the Lady Bulldogs in most statistical categories as she averages a double-double in points (20.1) and rebounds (13.0) per game as recently as Monday, January 1, according to MaxPreps.

Marr is still in the top 10 nationally with 6.2 blocks per game and 14th nationally with 14 double-doubles, according to MaxPreps.

Gridley senior AnaGloria Luevano is second in points 10.3 and rebounds 4.1, but first in steals (2.6) and assists 2.5 per game.

The Lady Bulldogs open up BVL play on Tuesday, January 9 at Corning.