Salesian (Richmond) played without three key players from last year's state Division IV runner-up team at the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament Thursday, but it didn't really matter.
Dominic Artis, the Bay Shore League MVP last year, has transferred to Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), while recent Cal football commit
Freddie Tagaloa, the team's 6-foot-8 center, is still playing football. Then there is
Jabari Bird, the MVP of last week's Jeremy Jack Tournament, which Salesian won, who did not play in Salesian's GIBT opener against Dublin for undisclosed reasons.
Salesian wasn't at full strength in Gridleybut it didn't matter, as the Pride earned awin in the opening round.
Photo by David Steutel
Regardless, the Pride jumped out to a 32-12 halftime lead en route to a 69-37 win over Dublin to advance to the second round of the tournament. Salesian won last year's tournament and won the NorCal Regional championship before falling to Windward (Los Angeles) in the Division IV state finals.
Three Pride players reached double figures, led by
Markel Leonard with 13 and
Jeffrey Parker and
Mario Dunn with 12 each.
If Salesian reaches the finals again this year, it won't face
Sacramento. The Dragons lost their opener to
Newark Memorial 64-52 in their tournament opener.
Casey Norris and
Paramvir Singh each had 15 points for the winners while
Damien Banford had 13.
Eric Kinney had 20 points for the Dragons, but
Aaron Cameron was the only other player in double figures with 10 points.
Newark Memorial faces
Jesuit (Carmichael), a 73-54 winner over
College Park (Pleasant Hill), in one of today's semifinal games.
St. Francis (Mountain View), a 79-44 winner over host
Gridley, faces Salesian in the other semifinal.
Bryce Pressley knocked down three 3-pointers and finished with 21 points to lead the Marauders.
Parker Uu added 16 points.
St. Francis receiving scoring from 13 players in the win over the Bulldogs with
Matt Stauber the only player in double figures with 12 points.
