Salesian senior guard Elias Obenyah (2) goes for a loose ball on Dec. 11 in the Prides’ win over Gridley. Photo by Chris Pedigo

GRIDLEY, CA (YSBC) - The 71st Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament concluded last weekend as seven-basketball powers throughout California bombarded through Butte County.

Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond), took back the crown as GIBT champs after a one-year brief hiatus. 

Consolation Bracket

Saint Mary’s sophomore Mathias Yonas (10) lays the ball up against Dublin on Dec. 11 in the Panthers’ loss to Dublin. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Saint Mary’s (Albany)

The Panthers went 1-2 in the tournament as their lone victory came in the tournament finale against Gridley last Saturday in a 75-44 victory.

Saint Mary’s two first matchups with Dublin and Clovis North ended in back-to-back 30-point defeats.

Panthers senior wing Christopher Baltrip led the way with 18 points in scoring against the Gaels.

Gridley senior Jorge De La Torre Valle (4) drives into the lane on Dec. 11 against Salesian during the Bulldogs’ defeat. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Gridley

The Bulldogs hosted another tournament where they saw the best teams in the state collide on their home floor. 

Gridley went 0-3 in another Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament, but the level of basketball they witnessed throughout the week will always be seen as what the best teams in California look like.

The Bulldogs’ first game of the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament was to the eventual champion in Salesian. The Pride have been a regular at the tournament for years and have multiple Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament crowns.

Gridley trailed by 21 at the half but gave a valiant effort against a national power.

The Bulldogs' other two games against Branson (Ross) and Saint Mary’s (Albany), were against teams that finished in the top 200 teams of the state last year.

To put in perspective, Gridley had one of its best seasons in school history last year and they finished ranked 290th in the state at the end of the season.

Branson was able to pull away early in the first half as the Bulldogs managed eight points in the first half.

In the finale against Saint Mary’s, Gridley trailed by 16 after the first but was able to keep a consistent flow of pace of points after that for the rest of the game.

Branson sophomore Bryce Spears (14) brings the ball up towards the basket on Dec. 11 in the Bulls’ loss to Folsom. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Branson (Ross) 

The Bulls opened the tournament with a double-digit loss to Folsom, who is one of the top teams in the Sacramento region.

Branson picked up their lone win of the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament with a 43-point victory against the tournament host.

The Bulls lost in the consolation championship to a solid Clovis North squad that is going to be a force in the Central Section.

Clovis North junior guard Landon Woodsford (10) shoots a jumper on Dec. 11 in the Broncos’ loss to Modesto Christian. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Clovis North

Clovis North finished last year as the best team in the Fresno area and second in the Central section. 

The Broncos returned nine players from last year's squad that was upset in the opening round of the CIF State Division I playoffs.

Clovis North lost a nail biter in the tournament opener to Modesto Christian. The Broncos followed that up with controlling victories against Saint Mary’s and Branson to take the Consolation title.

Winners Bracket

Folsom

The Bulldogs began the week as Sacramento’s No. 1 team until they fell to Grant a couple nights prior to the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament, but Folsom picked up a big win over Branson in the tournament opener.

The Bulldogs dropped their next two games to Salesian and Dublin but had a strong showing in the tournament.

Folsom will be one of the top teams in the Sacramento region at the end of the year.

Folsom junior guard Jax Kelley (0) shoots a long ball during the Bulldogs’ win over Branson on Dec. 11. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Dublin

The Gaels have been regulars at the tournament since their first appearance in 2011 and got off to a great start with a 30-point plus victory over Saint Mary’s. 

Dublin ran into Modesto Christian in the second round of the tournament and lost to the Crusaders for the second time within a couple weeks.

The Gaels controlled the fourth quarter in the third-place game against Folsom and held on for the double-digit win.

Dublin senior guard Aiden Li (1) goes for a layup on Dec. 11 during the Gaels’ win against Saint Mary’s. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Modesto Christian

The Crusaders opened with a close win over the best team in the Fresno area in a 72-69 win against Clovis North.

Modesto Christian junior guard Trevor Dickson averaged 23.3 points per game in the tournament that earned him the most valuable player in the 2025 Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament.

The Crusaders beat Dublin in the semifinals of the tournament by 10 for an opportunity against one of the best teams in the state.

Modesto Christian lost by double-digits but will be a contender for one of the best teams in the state.

Modesto Christian junior guard Trevor Dickson (22) lays the ball up on Dec. 11 in the Crusaders’ victory. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Salesian

The Pride should move up to Butte County as they took their third Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament title in the last four.

Salesian decisively beat Gridley before holding onto a six-point win over Folsom to advance to a championship match against Modesto Christian.

The Pride have a roster that flourishes with talent and will be nationally contending for the top spot in the United States.

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Salesian sophomore Juelz Richo (11) saves a ball from out of play on Dec. 11 in the Prides’ victory against Gridley. Photo by Chris Pedigo