We want to welcome you to the 70th annual Gridley Invitational basketball tournament.
Here is the history of the GIBT.
In 1953 John Valentino, teacher and Coach at Gridley High school, put into action his idea of school activity. It would involve many people from differing social, geographical and economical segments of Northern California. He organized and directed the first Gridley Invitational Basketball tournament.
From the onset, the 3- day GIBT has had the reputation as a tournament that extends invitations to top California basketball teams.
Valentino’s plan was an annual event that brought people together --- visiting players living with Gridley families, allowing social barriers to dissolve as people of different races, religions and lifestyles became directly associated with one another on a daily basis. Remember that this was 1953!!
This pattern for cooperative behavior continues to work in the absence of Valentino who passed away early in 1984.
From 1953 through 1977 , the GIBT was a post – season tournament. It was a popular alternative to the Tournament of Champions ( TOC ) , which was held each year at the end of the basketball season.
In fact the GIBT was so popular, that some teams that earned the privilege of participating in the TOC , chose to play in the GIBT instead.
This caused the CIF officials to make the decision to have only one post season tournament, to determine the ultimate champion. This change occurred in 1978, the only year there was not a GIBT.
Gridley High School resumed the GIBT as a pre-season tournament in 1979, and it has continued to be one of the most prestigious varsity basketball tournaments for high school boys in Northern California.
Throughout the history of the GIBT , local families have opened their homes each year, to house the visiting teams. The friendships that have developed through these arrangements have been many, and long-lasting.
What else can I say. Good folks, good vibes, great hoops
Thursday Brackets. December 12th - 13th - 14th
4:00 – pm. Clovis North – Clayton Valley
5:30 - Archbishop Riordan - Branson
7:00 - Gridley - Salesian
8:30- San Ramone – Destiny Christian
Here’s wishing you great hoops
Here is the history of the GIBT.
In 1953 John Valentino, teacher and Coach at Gridley High school, put into action his idea of school activity. It would involve many people from differing social, geographical and economical segments of Northern California. He organized and directed the first Gridley Invitational Basketball tournament.
From the onset, the 3- day GIBT has had the reputation as a tournament that extends invitations to top California basketball teams.
Valentino’s plan was an annual event that brought people together --- visiting players living with Gridley families, allowing social barriers to dissolve as people of different races, religions and lifestyles became directly associated with one another on a daily basis. Remember that this was 1953!!
This pattern for cooperative behavior continues to work in the absence of Valentino who passed away early in 1984.
From 1953 through 1977 , the GIBT was a post – season tournament. It was a popular alternative to the Tournament of Champions ( TOC ) , which was held each year at the end of the basketball season.
In fact the GIBT was so popular, that some teams that earned the privilege of participating in the TOC , chose to play in the GIBT instead.
This caused the CIF officials to make the decision to have only one post season tournament, to determine the ultimate champion. This change occurred in 1978, the only year there was not a GIBT.
Gridley High School resumed the GIBT as a pre-season tournament in 1979, and it has continued to be one of the most prestigious varsity basketball tournaments for high school boys in Northern California.
Throughout the history of the GIBT , local families have opened their homes each year, to house the visiting teams. The friendships that have developed through these arrangements have been many, and long-lasting.
What else can I say. Good folks, good vibes, great hoops
Thursday Brackets. December 12th - 13th - 14th
4:00 – pm. Clovis North – Clayton Valley
5:30 - Archbishop Riordan - Branson
7:00 - Gridley - Salesian
8:30- San Ramone – Destiny Christian
Here’s wishing you great hoops
