GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley High School alumni and basketball star, Maddyson Tull, had a dream during her high school years of starting a basketball program for young girls who enjoyed playing the game of basketball. She wanted to pass on her love and passion for the game to the girl basketball players in the Gridley area and came up with the idea for the Rise Up Basketball Clinic. What started as an idea, has grown into an annual event that many community members look forward to each February. 

In the past two years, the program has expanded to boys and girls who have a desire to improve their basketball skills, learn about what it takes to play at a high level, and have some fun on the court. The three day basketball clinic features some grade-A instructors from the collegiate and high school levels, where the participants get to learn ball handling skills, shooting form, high knee layups, defensive drills, and various basketball techniques. The participants get to play competition games, like “sharks and minnows” and “knockout”. 

One of the key messages that Tull wants communicated at the clinics is that “basketball is about more than being a good athlete. Through the Rise Up Clinic we’re teaching kids about good character and being outstanding role models in their communities.” Other topics discussed are academics and behavior. “If you have bad grades in high school or college, you can’t play. If you have behavior issues in high school or college, you can’t play.”

Annual host organization, D.I.R.T.Y. Elite Sports, has a similar philosophical message about sports. D.I.R.T.Y., which stands for Discipline. Intensity. Respect. Teamwork. Yourself., strives to encourage all athletes with their training and game time performance through the motivational and positive philosophy. The organizations mission, “promoting athletes to live according to the D.I.R.T.Y. philosophy on their field of play and in their community.” 

This year, D.I.R.T.Y. Elite Sports and 530 Sports teamed up to host the 3rd Annual Rise Up Basketball Clinic. The dates for this year’s clinic are Saturday February 29, 2020, Saturday March 7, 2020, and Saturday March 14, 2020. The clinic runs for two hours from 9AM - 11AM at Farmers Hall in Gridley, California.