GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Gridley Bulldogs boys basketball team played and performed well in the Georgia Raczniak tournament in Colusa. The tournament started on Thursday, Dec. 19 and ended on Saturday, Dec.  21.

In addition to the Gridley Bulldogs, the annual tournament consisted of the Colusa Redhawks, Williams Yellowjackets, Sutter Huskies, Clear Lake Cardinals, Willows Honkers, Pierce Bears and the Corning Cardinals. The tournament was played throughout three days with each team playing two games in two days (Thursday and Friday) with the playoff games being on Saturday. 

The Bulldogs started the tournament off playing against the Williams Yellowjackets and after an 8-8 score at the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs dominated the rest of the game holding the Yellowjackets to nine or less points and scoring 14 or more points in the remaining three quarters. The Bulldogs ultimately won the game 60-33 as senior Luis Murillo shined, putting up 12 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. 

On the second day of the tournament, the Bulldogs played the Sutter Huskies and it was a battle down to the last second. The game went back and forth with the Huskies holding a slim lead (24-21) at halftime. The Bulldogs would outscore the Huskies 11-16 and take the lead in the third quarter setting up a thrilling finish. The Huskies would hold the lead until Luis Murillo hit a game tying shot with five seconds left to force overtime. Overtime would be a battle of defenses as both teams scored under five points. Sutter would hold a one-point lead until Gridley got the ball for their last possession of the game where junior Bikram Kullar hit the game winning shot to send the Bulldogs to the championship game. Kullar finished the game with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.

The championship game on Saturday, Dec. 21, would be played against the Clear Lake Cardinals and the Bulldogs dominated the game. The Bulldogs started the game with a resounding offensive effort as they scored 22 points and held the Cardinals to 11 in the first quarter. The strong effort from the Bulldogs continued in the second quarter as they scored 17 points and held a strong halftime lead of 39-20. For the rest of the game, the Bulldogs would just have to play strong defense and score just enough to keep the Cardinals out of the game and that's exactly what they did. The Bulldogs would win the game 58-41 and take home the Georgia Raczinak tournament trophy. 

Bikram Kullar took home the tournament MVP led strongly by his standout performance against the Huskies. Luis Murillo, and Gus Stogsdill would get all tournament honors.

Sitting with an 8-3 record, the Bulldogs are scheduled to play in one last tournament (Dixon Tournament) before starting their regular season. The Bulldogs are scheduled to take on the Armijo Royals on Dec. 27, after press time.

All stats and results courtesy of the boys varsity Head Coach, Nathan Link.