Time to tip it off

“It’s the junior high version of March Madness.”

Nels Fallgren of Smith River in action this week. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

One of the largest and most respected boys basketball tournaments for this age group begins today.

The Crescent City Jaycees 42nd Annual 8th Grade Boys Basketball Tournament features 56 teams in seven divisions at locations throughout the county. From Southern Oregon to the Sacramento area, these squads are ready to put it all on the line in hopes of ending their seasons by hoisting a tournament title trophy.

Each year the event boosts the local economy and is something that these young people mark on their calender with anticipation.

For 30 years, John Berry, principal and basketball coach at Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville, has been bringing his team 270 miles to compete in Crescent City.

“It’s the junior high version of March Madness,” Berry said. “The kids like to have a goal and aspirations.”

In January, Kelseyville hosts a regional tournament. In front of the school, a sign reads, “The road to Crescent City goes through Kelseyville.”

Two local teams have earned No.1 seeds. In the C division, Foursquare  is the top seed. Smith River earned the top seed in the B-1 division.

Last year, Smith River took the title in the B-2 division and earned the sportsmanship award, considered the top prize at the event.

In December, the Smith River girls team also received the sportsmanship award at the girls Jaycees tournament here.

For a close-knit community like Smith River, the event is a very big deal.

When the boys teams won the title and the sportsmanship award last March, a parade was held as the community turned out in force to celebrate.

“Every year at this time everyone looks forward to the tournament,” Smith River principal Paige Swan said.

He said residents who have played in the tournament go back four generations in Smith River.

And, he said, since Smith River is a  kindergarten through eighth grade school, students develop an interest in the middle school basketball teams from an early age.

Eric Turner of Redwood is pursued by Caleb Wilson of Crescent Elk in a Feb. 18 game. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Alex Reyes played on the winning team last year as a seventh-grader. To be back this year seeking another title and perhaps another sportsmanship award is exciting, he said.

“It feels great to be playing again,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll do well in the tournament. It’s a challenge for all the teams.”

The Wildcats are coming off an undefeated conference season and are 12-1 overall.

“Every season this tournament is always a huge thing for us,” head coach Ron Quick said. “This is the culmination of our season. Everyone is just excited. We just want them to go out there and enjoy it.”

To Quick, the sportsmanship award is the biggest prize because the key thing he tries to teach his players is that no matter what, you should show respect and play fair.

“If I have to chose between a good basketball player or a good person, I’m going to chose a good person every time,” he said. “It teaches them how to be organized and to be honest.”

For all 42 years of the tournament, Arman Gunnerson has been involved.

This year, he is serving as an event coordinator. He and his  fellow Jaycees spend countless hours making sure all the pieces fall into place come Friday and Saturday.

“There’s a lot of work to do but we feel it’s worth it when you send home happy a lot of kids,” he said.

Gunnerson loves the fact that even tiny schools like Bridgeville are invited.

“It gives them the opportunity to participate in a tournament,” he said.

The event also attracts much larger schools. Rolling Hills, the No. 1 seed in the top division, AAA, has not lost a game in two seasons.

Besides basketball games, the event also features cheer and mascot competitions, a poster contest and the crowning of a queen.

One of the things Gunnerson is most proud of is a scholarship  program begun in 1996. Basketball players, cheerleaders and other participants have the chance to try for a $500 scholarship their senior year of high school.

Smith River coach Ron Quick, center, huddles with his players. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Berry’s stepson, Nick, was once chosen as a recipient of the $500 scholarship. This year he is a freshman at UC Davis.

“It sends a great message to these 13-year-olds,” Berry said. “It tells kids that college is important.”

“Crescent City is really lucky to have that organization (the Jaycees),” Berry said.

Copies of the tournament program were inserted into the Thursday issue of The Triplicate and are available at various event venue.

Games begin today at 4 p.m. at locations thought the area, including Del Norte High School and Crescent Elk.

In addition to Foursquare and Smith River, other Del Norte County schools taking part are Crescent Elk, Redwood and St. Joseph.