GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – In 1953, John Valentino, teacher and coach at Gridley High School, put into action his idea of a school activity that involved 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, then, 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. 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 and was a popular alternative for 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 two teams, who had 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. We believe that the GIBT is the longest running tournament of its kind in California.

The GIBT is an eight-team tournament. Each team is guaranteed three games.

Gridley is a small, rural farming community, located about 50 miles north of Sacramento on Highway 99. Services for visitors are limited. As such, throughout the history of the GIBT, local families have opened their homes each year to house the visiting GIBT players. The friendships that have developed through these arrangements have been many and long-lasting.

Without the continuing support of the school, students, parents, and community, the GIBT would have grave problems surviving. We thank all who have helped over the years to make the GIBT a Northern California tradition.