Hughson nut company extends sponsorship of MJC tournament
The Modesto Junior College Basketball Tournament has occupied a special place in Ron Martella’s heart his entire life.
Martella, 71, remembers attending tournament games in MJC’s old gym and, later as an MJC player, winning the tournament’s consolation title in 1963 and placing third in 1964.
“It used to be called the state tournament, with eight teams from the north and eight teams from the south,” he said. “I would be sitting near the rafters as a kid. I never missed.”
Martella’s affection for one of the nation’s longest-running tournaments extends to this day. He owns the Hughson-based Grower Direct Nut Co., which has sponsored the tournament the last three years.
That connection will continue. Martella has agreed to extend his company’s sponsorship of the tournament an additional three years, through 2018.
“I’ve made so many friends and enjoyed my time over the years at MJC,” Martella said. “MJC has given me so much. Why not keep it going?”
Martella noted the many close tournament games this season and hopes, in the near future, the host Pirates can be a contender. Modesto went 1-2 and did not qualify for the tournament’s final day.
Fresno City College claimed its record 13th title in the 78th renewal of the MJC tournament Saturday night.
Stanislaus hangs on for league win – A low-scoring game climaxed with a wild finish and, eventually, Cal State Stanislaus’ 54-50 California Collegiate Athletic Association win at Cal State East Bay.
The Warriors (4-5, 3-1) led by as many as 12 points and still were in charge 46-38 when East Bay (4-6, 1-3) rallied for 12 points in the final 37 seconds. Christian Bayne’s two free throws in the closing seconds sealed it for the Warriors.
Bayne hit five of six free throws in the final minute and led Stanislaus with 16 points.
The Warriors are home on New Year’s Day to face Cal State Los Angeles at 7:30 p.m., followed the next night by another home game against Cal State San Marcos.
Cold fourth quarter slows Warrior women – Stanislaus made only two field goals in the fourth quarter, as East Bay turned a close game into a 69-47 CCAA win. The Warriors (6-4, 2-2) hit only two of 17 shots in the final period while the improved Pioneers (9-2, 4-0) tacked on 24 points.
Stanislaus also was outrebounded 46-31 and shot an icy 27.9 percent from the floor. Ana Burch topped all Warrior scorers with 10 points.
Home opener for MJC women – The MJC women (3-7) will make their home debut against Las Positas on Monday at 5 p.m.
The Pirates picked up their second straight win on the road Friday night, 65-47 over Ohlone. Camille Flores hit four three-pointers and paced MJC with 25 points while Monica Perez had 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Flores also accounted for six of Modesto’s 13 assists.
This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 6:17 AM with the headline "Hughson nut company extends sponsorship of MJC tournament."