Same could be said for the Ilonai classic in Hawaii. Those teams don’t stand a chance most years. But it has been going for years just like Gridley. And would be hard to tell the hosting families by the way we are not playing. That’s one of the best parts of the experience. And the host families know they don’t stand a chance. But they also understand their is more than just gym time.
Marc great lineup as always. Curious have you ever tried to get a team from the Trinity League in So Cal. I remember when you got the team from San Antonio who had ineligible players per the rules of California. A power from out of state would be awesome as well.
If the host families are really in it for the kids (which is what Gridley is supposedly all about) they wouldn't mind. It's about providing the best possible experience, and competitive basketball every single game is a huge part of that. Respect to the people who run the tournament, it's a great one, just giving ideas and trying to take it to the next level so it can be even better and be respected on the national stage.
This has been brought up a few times thru the years. The Gridley team players actually host other players from other teams. The sharing and interaction is so rewarding for every body.
Hi Wiz
That’s awesome Marc. I never thought about the flying part. Being it’s a hour out from Sac. Either way it’s evident you put on a good one. Might be time to gas up the private jet and get Simon Gratz(whatever happened to them) or Dunbar out one time. Or even St Marys Akron so Lebron might do a drive by. Good stuff man, take care
I agree that Gridley plays hard, the issue is that they aren't competitive whatsoever in the tournament, no matter how nice the families who choose to host are. You can't sell a tournament as a premier experience when you have a team in it that doesn't even feign competitiveness even on their best night. It makes the tournament lose all credibility as a serious tournament. The hosting thing can still happen, just add one more team to the list of who gets hosted and make it a team that's an Open contender.
Leroy
I think it’s absolutely the dumbest I’ve read to suggest Gridley host and house a tournament bc it wouldn’t be so “nationally premier” that’s not the spirit of this great tournament or really the entire experience for high schoolers, it’s not that big of a deal really…..they get lots of good teams in there and everyone enjoys it as a whole community u willing to ditch that to bring in some mercenaries from out of town for clout chasing? C’mon that’s like Chaminade not playing in the Maui invitational just let the kids enjoy it and it’s a well run tournament everyone enjoys
I understand all of that. So why not extend all that to one more school? If Gridley doesn't play in the tournament they can accomplish two great things. One is provide that opportunity to one extra school that needs/deserves it, and the other is to make it a nationally respected tournament that will bring in more attention and money that can then be used to serve the kids even MORE. Let's not lose focus here it's about the kids and making sure the tournament is as competitive as can be so that more KIDS are served. That's what it's all about.
Chaminade shouldn't play in that tournament either for the exact same reason. Whatever you feel the "spirit" of the tournament is, it would be BETTER served by letting one extra premier team attend in Gridley's place. Makes for a better experience, that brings in more money and press attention, which therefore allows more kids to be served in the future. That's what it's about, my only consideration is the kids.
Not a single word that u typed is true or better serving for the kids at Gridley? You’re saying that the kids will have a better lifetime memory of their career serving water and orange slices to some transfer mercenary school from out of state or so cal who is sleeping at their homes? that is a cooler experience then participating in the actual games at ur home gym? That is a better experience then playing against once in a lifetime competition ? A few thousand extra dollars is worth that ? Like I said that’s dumb af
I guarantee you those kids and their families would have a SIGNIFICANTLY more magical and memorable experience hosting and "serving orange slices" to Bronny James than they would getting curbstomped 53-12 by Branson. Trust me on that. Not to mention that the money and attention garnered by the experience would provide generations of future kids in Gridley with benefits and opportunities they can't even dream of. Again, it's about what's best for the town of Gridley and the young people there, not just now but for years to come.
What do you not get about this? You clearly have never attended the tournament. It is truly a total community event for the town. If the host school is not in the tourney then there is no GIBT.
AMEN
Just for the record chaminade has beaten Cal in 2017, Texas in 2012 and Oklahoma in 2010, and Princeton, and even Villanova post 2000 as well. And other schools in the earlier years.
If that's true then the people there are only in it for themselves and all those claims about the "spirit" of the tournament is a lie. Can't have it both ways. And I attend the tournament every year, I don't miss a game except for the Gridley games because they aren't competitive whatsoever. As a consumer, it's unfair to pay money to get intentionally inferior competition.
Nice ad hominem, really makes it look like you have a logic-based opinion. I'll take the high road and stick to basketball since that's what we're here to discuss.
Pretty doubtful three of those teams make the open but it's still a solid regional tournament
Please Ignore Leroy. He is obivously wanting to goad reactions from posters.
Hi Ayalar, didin't you say you have never been to Gridley? Try to make it this year. It will give you and idea of what actually takes place. Hope to see you there.
They had an open contender in Sheldon . Wonder what happened there. Also they list Oakland tech who is also suppose to be at Edison tourney on same day
