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 life styles 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

From 1953 through 1977, the GIBT was a post-season tournament and was a popular alternative for the Tournament of Champions (TOC)

The GIBT Story

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John Valentino and

Ray Roberts

Originating Tournament Coaches