NorCal Middle School Basketball Championship Tips Off March 20–22 in Roseville
More than 3,000 athletes, coaches and fans expected for NorCal Middle School Basketball Championship tournament, generating at least $1 million for the Placer Valley economy
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARCH MADNESS TIPS-OFF FRIDAY AND CONTINUES THROUGH SUNDAY AT THE ROEBBELEN CENTER IN ROSEVILLE
ROSEVILLE, Calif – Buzzer-beating shots, clutch free throws, defensive shutdowns and must-win games are part of March madness, regardless of age.
Just ask the 1,000 players competing at the NorCal Middle School Basketball Championship from March 20-22 at the Roebbelen Center located @the Grounds, 700 Event Center Drive in Roseville.
The tournament tips-off 5 p.m. Friday, with games starting at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with championship rounds on the final day. A one-day pass is $20, while a tournament pass is $40, available online at https://www.statebasketballchampionship.com/norcal. Parking is $15 per day.
Some of the best middle-school boys and girls in the state will compete during the final tournament of the season, which will include a few younger teams as well. The 100 club and school teams – including a couple dozen from the Sacramento region -- must finish in first or second place in qualifying tournaments to play in the NorCal Middle School Basketball Championship.
“It’s very good competition,” said Devre Newby, marketing manager of State Basketball Championship. “They get to play against some new teams.”
The middle-school March madness is also a win for Placer Valley. More than 3,000 people – athletes, coaches, family members and fans – are expected during the three-day tournament, generating at least $1 million for the local economy, from hotels to restaurants.
“It’s a big tournament that has a far-reaching economic impact, from helping fill hotel rooms to more shoppers at stores,” said Kim Summers, CEO of Placer Valley Tourism and @the Grounds. “We also benefit by showcasing what Placer Valley has to offer.”
The community has become a major player in sports tourism, from a couple dozen softball diamonds and the Roebbelen Center to the recently opened Placer Valley Soccer Complex in west Roseville.
Placer Valley Tourism’s marketing efforts were connected to 52,500 hotel room nights in 2025, with basketball tournaments at the Roebbelen Center accounting for 9,550 nights. The Roebbelen Center – able to accommodate 12 full-size basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts – has become one of the premier sports centers for tournaments in the West since opening in 2020.
The 160,000-square-foot building is “worthy of a state championship tournament,” said Devre, adding that tournament organizers also looked at the community overall. “A lot goes into choosing a host city. Roseville is a perfect fit.”
The location of the Roebbelen Center – in the basketball-rich Sacramento region, and within a few hours for Bay Area and Fresno-area teams – also played a role in bringing the tournament to the region for the first time.
More than 1 million children play organized basketball in California, from club teams and recreational leagues to high school squads. About 75,000 high school athletes – boys and girls – play basketball in the state, about the same as a decade ago despite the rise of soccer, volleyball, and girls’ flag football.
“We worked very hard to bring the NorCal Middle School Basketball Championship to Placer Valley,” Summers said. “We are always looking at more tournaments and expanding our involvement in sports tourism.”
About Placer Valley Tourism
Placer Valley Tourism is a Business Improvement District that serves South Placer County and the cities of Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln. The BID operates to help generate incremental room night stays in hotels within Placer Valley Tourism’s geographic footprint through various conferences and youth and amateur sports events. PVT aims to coordinate community and sports events with the best hospitality options in the region. Placer Valley Tourism is a nonprofit and classified as a 501(c)6. For more information, please visit https://www.placertourism.com/.
About @the Grounds
@the Grounds is a multipurpose event facility on 61 acres in the heart of Roseville, California. @the Grounds includes the Roebbelen Center, a 160,000-square-foot event center that can accommodate major amateur sports competitions, large meetings, trade shows, concerts and other events. For more than 80 years, @the Grounds has been the home of the Placer County Fair – an annual celebration of the diversity of the community – along with countless other community, family and corporate gatherings. @the Grounds is the business entity of Placer Valley Sports Complex, a 501(c)3. For more information, please visit https://www.atthegrounds.com/.