Quincy’s Brady Rick makes a layup during the Trojans’ game against Loyalton at Portola’s annual Tiger Classic tournament. Rick was named Quincy’s player of the game for the game against Portola on Dec. 8. Photos by James Wilson

James Wilson

  Portola High School hosted its annual Tiger Classic basketball tournament last weekend. Teams from Modoc, Loyalton and Quincy all showed up to compete.

  The teams were extremely well-matched, which made for exciting basketball for the crowds in attendance. Families filled the stands to watch their sons and daughters play.

  “It was a great tournament,” said Portola’s coach, Tim Brubaker. “The whole tournament was very hotly contested.”

  Portola played three very close games. On Dec. 6 Portola lost to Modoc 56-53. The next day the Tigers outscored Loyalton by one point to win the game 54-53. Portola faced Quincy on the final day of the tournament. Quincy won 57-54.

  In addition to playing Portola, Quincy took on Loyalton and Modoc as well. Quincy lost to Loyalton 59-52 and to Modoc 60-53.

  Portola had a great start in its game against Modoc, and by half time led 25-21. Modoc strutted its stuff in the third period, however, to take the lead. Modoc kept up in the fourth period to win by three points.

  “It was a really good ball game,” said Brubaker. “Modoc is a really competitive team.”

  Michael Martinez led the team in rebounds during the game. Martinez went on to play well defensively through the whole tournament.

  Contrasting with the day before, Portola started its game against Loyalton rather sluggishly. Loyalton went into the half with a demanding 31-22 lead. Portola outscored Loyalton in the third and fourth quarters to win the game by one point.

  Ricky Lowdermilk led Portola in scoring. Oscar Romero also performed admirably.

  Quincy was bound and determined to get its revenge on Portola. Portola had the lead for the majority of the game, however. Finally, in the fourth period, Quincy came back for the win.

  For Portola, Flint Fambrough was the top scorer against Quincy. Quincy’s Brady Rick led the Trojans, scoring 28 points. Rick also got several rebounds and played well in general.

  Quincy’s two games in the tournament before Portola were rather close games as well.

  In their game against Loyalton, the Trojans were behind 25-20 at the half. Loyalton outscored Quincy 24-15 in the third quarter to add a little more lead. Quincy fired back in the fourth quarter but was too far behind at that point.

  Gavin Henderson played outstanding defense during the game, making multiple defensive rebounds.

  “It’s nice to see his skill set grow,” wrote Quincy’s coach, Howard Hughes, after naming Henderson the player of the game. “(Henderson) was also selected (on) the all-tournament team at Portola.”

  Quincy took an early lead against Modoc, but that didn’t last long. Modoc came back and outscored Quincy after the first period. Hughes praised Mike Ashley’s efforts during the game.

  “What a great effort. (Ashley) scored seven points against a quality team. He’s grown so much in four years of Quincy High School basketball.”

  Quincy travels Dec. 13 – 15 to the Hamilton City Tournament. Portola has a week of no games and returns to the court Dec. 20 for the Burney Tournament.