Reeds Creek School Keeps Tommy’s Memory Alive
Feb. 5th and 6th, Reeds Creek School will be hosting the 1st annual Tommy Botell Memorial Basketball Tournament at the Bethel Assembly of God Church on Luther Street in Red Bluff California.
This is an all Boys Tournament with teams coming from Reeds Creek, Lassen View, Los Molinos, and Sacred Heart Schools. Custom-made trophies featuring the last picture taken of our Tommy 
will be given to the tournament winners. 8 teams will play 16 games in hopes of winning a “Big Tommy” for their school’s trophy case. Mr. Jake Hosler, Principal of Reeds Creek School, says that his goal is to, eventually, have a “Tommy Trophy” in every display case in every school in Tehama County.
Tommy played just about every sport. He wrestled for the Top Fuelers. He was a baseball player for the Red Bluff Little League. He swam for the Red Bluff Tritons. He loved playing soccer for the RBYSL. He was active in all the “in town” sports, which is why he has friends at all the schools competing for one of his trophies. However, because of his age, he never had a chance to play a sport for his school. He was looking forward to 5th grade and the opportunity to be a part of the Reeds Creek Panther team. We have a basketball hoop in our front yard. He used to shoot hoops with his sister. He was a tall boy and was going to be a very tall young man. He would have made a great basketball player.
This basketball tournament means so much to me. In a way, I feel as though Tommy will be a part of the game. It is also so comforting to know that he will not be forgotten. He may not be here to play, but I know those boys will be playing with all their hearts…in honor of their friend, Tommy.
TOMMY’S MEMORY WILL LIVE ON… FOREVER!!
15 Responses to “Reeds Creek School Keeps Tommy’s Memory Alive”
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About Tommy
On July 29, 2009, Tommy Botell was killed by a rock retaining wall that collapsed while hiking with his family at Lassen Volcanic National Forest.
Tommy's sister Katrina, was seriously injured and suffered numerous facial fractures.
Tommy was a dedicated scout, a fan of Indiana Jones, a budding adventurer and a beloved son and brother.
Tommy died in the loving arms of his mother. He was 9 years old.
This site is dedicated to his memory and keeping that memory alive.
What a wonderful memorial for a very special young man. Miss you so much Tommy. Always in my heart! Love, Grandma Barbara
Jake & Kori Hosler,
How do we show appreciation to someone for honoring our son’s life and keeping his memory alive? This question has been troubling us all week long. Our feelings surpass a mere I am so touched, grateful, honored, humbled, appreciative, indebted, or thankful. The “Tommy Botell Memorial Basketball Tournament” was more than we could have ever imagined. We hurt so much yet we feel so loved. No word is adequate to convey our deep appreciation to you for all you have done. We will spend our lives looking for a way to show just how much your kindness has meant to us. However, for now, all we can do is say THANK YOU!
Forever grateful,
Tom and Jennifer Botell
Tommy loved basketball. I went to a basketball camp and tommy wanted to go to but we didn’t have enough money to send him and me. So, I taught him all the things I learned at camp. He was so glad that I did. He was supposed to go to basketball camp this summer, but now he cannot.
Just wanted to say to the family I’m so sorry for your loss I never had the pleasure of knowing your sweet little boy,but my prayers our with you. Remember this is our temporary home, and he is in the arms of our father waitng to be meet us when we get there.God Bless all of you!!!!!!!
Tommy was an awsome little guy. He definitely had the makings of a great athlete. He will be missed in the sporting world. I am sure that his love for sports would have taken him a long way.
Forever in our hearts- Tommy Botell
From the Reeds Creek Principal’s Corner
Reeds Creek School renamed its annual basketball tournament after Tommy Botell and this past
weekend we saw our community come together in support of the Botell family. We witnessed
countless families, businesses, and community members donate funds and work countless hours
to make the First Annual Tommy Botell Memorial Boys Basketball Tournament an
overwhelming success.
In collaboration with The Bethel Assembly of God and The Reeds Creek Booster Club, our
school hosted a first class tournament that saw nearly 100-student/athletes participate in this
inaugural event. Thanks to the efforts of The Lassen Mineral Lodge, Collins Family Catering,
Del Taco, Baskin Robbins, and the Reeds Creek Booster Club along with close to 1,000
spectators attending the 2-day tournament, much needed funds were raised for the Botell family.
The Lassen Mineral Lodge surprised the family on Friday with a generous donation of
approximately $1,200, and following the tournament on Saturday evening, the Reeds Creek
Booster Club presented the family with all revenue generated from the weekend’s festivities,
totaling $2,872.00. Additionally, 29-awards were presented, all with Tommy’s name (and photo
for the winners), which will be displayed throughout county trophy cases for years to come.
On the court, our boys played well, earning several individual awards for their performance.
Denver Gulliford and Karl Parks each took home “Outstanding Sportsmanship” honors, while
Gabe Stinson and Casey Moore earned spots on the “All Tourney Team”. Our B-Boys placed 4th,
while our A-Boys placed 3rd. Lassen View won both the A and B divisions of the tournament,
and took home both “Big Tommy” first place team awards. The Botell’s were presented with
their very own “Big Tommy”, as he was named the initial MVP of the tournament.
Reeds Creek Weekly news
February 22 – February 26
2009-2010 Edition
Our goal of helping to keep Tommy’s memory alive in our community seems to have taken a
tremendous step forward. Thanks to unbelievable volunteers who helped to make this
tournament a success, I believe that we can call the First Annual Tommy Botell Boys Basketball
Tournament a cause we can be proud of. Special thanks to the Curl Family, the Manner Family,
the Exum Family, the Griffis Family, the Collins Family, the Eakin Family, the Frantz Family,
the Scholzen Family, the Dominick Family, the Hosler Family, the Parks Family, and the
countless other families and individuals that assisted during the tournament.
Thank you once again to our entire community for coming together and supporting our
endeavors. On behalf of Reeds Creek School and the Botell Family, we would like to say
THANK YOU!
I did not know tommy,but I heard his story I cried.People ask me what makes me sad the most,I say , Tommy never had a chance to live his dream
Kaylanie sandefer
That is what makes me sad too. He was so full of life and was going to be such a fine man. He had so much to do and see. He loved his world and those in it. It is more than a shame, it is unfair and not right. Thank you for your post and thinking about Tommy. God Bless you.
Love, Tommy’s Mommy
I’m sorry for anyone who new TOMMY
:[
That is very sweet. Thank You but I have to say that I feel sorry for anyone that didn’t know Tommy. He was an incredible boy. So very nice and caring. I am sorry that you missed meeting him.
Love to You,
Tommy’s Mommy
MAY 11,2011 WAS THE MOST SADEST DAY.SORRY TOMMY FOR NOT POISTING ANTHING ON YOUR BIRTHDAY,SO I’LL SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRHTDAY DEAR TOMMY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
it is summer 2011 wish u were here
i wish i knew tommy
I do to I heard he was the best kid ever