Italy JV boys swarm the Meridian Yellow Jackets
Italy Gladiator JV — Italy JV played Meridian Friday night, coached by Larry Mayberry and Josh Ward. They won 53 to 33 with a promise of more to come. (Anne Sutherland)
A hustling Italy J.V. Boys squad launched a relentless assault on Meridian and buzzed by the Yellow Jackets in the first game of the season. Italy dominated both defensively and offensively outscoring the Jackets by 20-points.
Italy’s Campbell scores quickly off the opening tip with a layup. Later, after a Campbell 3-pointer, Italy had an early 8-0 lead. Meridian would get on the scoreboard after hitting 1 of 2 from the free-throw line. Italy’s Sephus scored 3-points and Holden also added an early bucket. Italy’s Ashcraft added a jumper from the wing late in the first giving him 4-points in the period. The fast start put Italy in command 14-5 heading into the second period.
In the second, Sephus added a charity shot and Souder scored 2-points on a put back. Campbell put in 1-point more as Italy built an 18-9 lead. Saxon then wowed the crowd with a 3-point shot making the score 21-9. Italy’s defense was too aggressive for the Jackets. Saxon would get a steal and pass ahead to Campbell for a lay in with 2:55 left in the first half. Sephus then steals the ball and gives an assist to Campbell for another layup and Italy leads at the break 25-13.
Italy’s defense held Meridian to only 5-points in the third period. Italy’s Holden put in 6-points during the third himself. The action was fast-paced and turnovers fueled Italy’s fast breaks. With 1:38 left in the third, Campbell steals and passes to Sephus who hits a 3-pointer. Meridian scores the last three points of the period and Italy leads 38-18 going into the fourth.
Italy scored quick in the fouth when Sephus passed to Campbell for another 3-pointer making the score 41-18. Campbell makes another 3-point shot at the 7:08 mark to make the score 44-18. Later, after a Meridian flury, Holden would tap to Sephus for a lay in and Italy’s lead is 46-29 at the 6:55 mark. Italy’s Simon hits a 3-pointer to make it 49-32. Souder passes to Medrano to make the score 51-32. Simon makes 2 of 2 from the free-throw line with :12 left and the Italy J.V. Boys win 53-33 to start their season.
Italy scoring:
5-Campbell, 18-points
4-Holden, 9-points
3-Sephus, 8-points
21-Saxon, 4-points
20-Ashcraft, 4-points
10-Simon, 4-points
11-Souder, 3-points
12-Medrano, 2-points
50-Wilkins, 1-point
Meridian scoring:
10-Guerrerro, 10-points
42-Bowers, 8-points
22-Payne, 6-points
34-Miller, 4-points
24-Anderson, 2-points
12-Guinn, 2-points
20-Seay, 1-point