ITALY – The Italy Varsity Boys sparred with the Meridian Yellow Jackets until the 6:40 mark of the first quarter when Darrin Moore passed to Jasenio Anderson for a layup putting the Gladiators up 2-0. Italy’s J. Anderson drives through the middle of the lane for a left handed finger roll and now the score is 4-0. Heath Clemons bounces to Moore on a backdoor cut and Moore lays it in for a 6-0 lead. Meridian gets a pair of free throws to get on the board and trail 6-2. Meridian’s Torrence Allen #3 finds the basket and the score is 6-4 at the 4:55 mark. J. Anderson responds with a burst to the goal and draws two foul shots making both. Italy’s lead is 8-4.

Later, catching the Jackets napping, J. Anderson passes up to Dontavius Clemons for 2-points and the score is 10-4. After a block by D. Clemons, a steal by John Isaac and a rebound by Dan Crownover, J. Anderson inbounds to Moore who passes back to J. Anderson for a 3-point shot and 13-4 advantage. Meridian scores 2-points but J. Anderson answers with a right handed finger roll and the score is 15-6. Meridian’s Terail Sheppard #20 hits a medium range jumper but J. Anderson counters with a lay in keeping Italy well in front 17-8. Despite the Gladiator defense forcing a 10 second backcourt violation, Meridian put in 5 straight points. Then Italy’s Oscar Gonzalez drove the lane for 2-points trying to hold back the Jackets. Italy leads 19-13 with 1:06 left in the first period.

Meridian’s Allen #3 drives, scoops and scores 2-points and then adds 2 more to make the score 19-17. Allen #3 would match a Gladiator basket making it 21-19 and Joe Barrett Winkjet #42 would tie the score for the Jackets as the first period ended 21-21 as Italy’s half-court shot grazed the front iron at the buzzer.

Allen #3 then gave Meridian the lead, briefly, after hitting two foul shots 23-21. J. Anderson took exception and drives through the lane scoring 2-points, drawing the foul and canning the free throw. Italy was back in charge 24-23 at the 7:15 point in the second. Isaac skies for a rebound on the defensive board but Italy didn’t turn it into points. A few trips later, Isaac stole the ball and passes to J. Anderson for a lay in making the game 26-23 with 6:20 left in the first half. Damien Allen #34 scores on a baseline jumper for Meridian. The score is 26-25 with Italy leading. J. Anderson finds Diamond Rodgers to make it 28-25 favoring Italy.

The Jackets manage to tie the game 28-28. Then Isaac gets a block and serves it ahead to J. Anderson who is fouled hard into the padding. J. Anderson stays calm and cleanly sinks both free throws at the 4:31 mark. The game became a back-and-forth defensive battle until Dontavius Clemons made a steal and passed up-court to J. Anderson for another layup making the score 32-28, 3:35 left in the half. Including a 3-pointer from Gonzalez, Italy would score the next 13-points to Meridian’s 2-points making the score 40-30. H. Clemons would add the last 4-points of the half for the Gladiators making the score 44-30 in Italy’s favor at the break.

Starting the third period, Moore steals the rock and passes ahead to Isaac adding to Italy’s lead 46-30. Allen #3 helps Meridian score 6-unanswered points bringing the score closer 46-36. Italy then scored 8-straight points building their lead 54-36. Allen #3 scored a bucket for Meridian. J. anderson feeds H. Clemons the ball who scores at the hoop making the score 56-38 at the 3:58 mark. Before the third period ended, Allen #3 managed to score the last 3-points for the Jackets as well. H. Clemons adds 1 free throw and the third ends with Italy in control 57-41.

The clocked ticked down to 6:38 remaining before J. Anderson drives and scores easily. The tally shows Italy well ahead 59-41. Both squads would add another 8-points each, which includes a 3-point shot by J. Anderson. The score is 67-49 with 3:19 remaining. Italy began to filter a lot of players into the contest. J. Anderson ran the offense making sure all his team mates got several touches. To stay sharp, J. Anderson penetrated Meridian’s defense, jump stopped and banked in 2-more points making it 69-49. Italy’s Justin Hayes connects on a 3-point shot and Donald Walton nails a 3-pointer helping the Gladiators blast past the Jackets 76-54 in Italy’s season opener.

Italy high scorer:
11-Jasenio Anderson, 35–points

Meridian high scorer:
3-Torrence Allen, 21–points