7th Grade – In their last game of the season, the Italy 7th Grade Boys took care of business as they swooped past the Dallas Faith Family Eagles 43-23.

A low scoring opening period, Italy had a 4-0 lead after #1 Eric “Flash” Carson scored at the 3:00 mark of the 1st period. #12 [Name Withheld] added 2-points more with 2:29 left. #13 Justin Wood, #44 Kevin Roldan and #14 Zain Byers ponded the boards to help Italy post a 6-0 shutout at the end of the the 1st.

The scoring increased for both sides in the 2nd period. Italy’s jump shooting skills were quickly becoming apparent while DFF was relying on fast break opportunities to stay in the game. Italy’s #1 Eric Carson was beginning to find his touch from long range as well as attacking the basket, off the dribble, creating passing lanes. Italy was on a good pace as they led by a touchdown before the break 17-10 over the Eagles.

Halftime

The DFF Eagles weren’t giving up putting in 7-points in the 3rd period. Italy’s #11 Pedro Cortez, #41 Bailey Walton (2-points) and #23 Hayden Woods (6-points) logged several minutes during the game. Despite DFF’s efforts, Italy’s shots still had the range and Mayberry provided the proof when he swished a 3-pointer to beat the 3rd period buzzer. The shot gave the Gladiators a 26-17 lead heading into the final period.

Italy’s #12 [Name Withheld] got Italy going by scoring a quick layup in the 4th period to make the score 28-18. Feeding off the momentum of Cochran’s quick basket, Italy went on a roll from there and took a 40-23 lead over the Eagles. #44 Kevin “The Big Bomber” Roldan capped off the 2009 season, for the Italy 7th Grade squad, by hitting the second, buzzer beating 3-pointer to end the game. Roldan’s shot made the final score 43-23 in favor of the Gladiators.

Members of the 2009 Italy 7th Grade Boys squad are:
1-Eric Carson
3-Trey Robertson
11-Pedro Cortez
12-[Name Withheld]
13-Justin Wood
22-Tristen Smithwick
33-Darol Mayberry
14-Zain Byers
23-Hayden Wood
41-Bailey Walton
44-Kevin Roldan

8th Grade
In a game dedicated to their teammate Dylan Haight who missed the game due to an injury in practice, the Italy 8th graders challenged Dallas Faith Family (DFF) for the final game of the season. The Italy players took full advantage of the opportunity and showed Italy fans how much they have improved.

Thanks to #21 Cole Hopkins’s made bucket, #0 Cayden Jacinto’s 5-points, including a 3-pointer, and a 3-point swish by his cousin #20 Reid Jacinto, Italy took a 10-2 first period lead. Italy’s defense was hustling back and challenging DFF’s shot attempts making it difficult on the Eagles to get any momentum going early.

In the 2nd period, the ball bounced differently for Italy and it was DFF who suddenly had the upperhand. The Eagles put in 10-points during the 2nd threatening to take the lead. Italy’s #4 Tony Wooldrige’s 3-pointer were the only Gladiators’ points in the period, but those were enough. Italy was clinging to a 13-12 advantage at halftime.

Halftime

Wooldrige added 2-points, Hopkins added 2-points and the Jacinto cousins teamed up again for a pair of 3-pointers to help build a 25-21 lead over DFF before the end of the 3rd period.

DFF’s #25 Suropshire scored 8 of his 13-points in the 4th period in an attempt to steal the game from the Gladiators. Unfortunately for the Eagles, Italy’s Jacinto cousins each scored a 3-pointer in the same period yet again, a feat they accomplished 3 out of 4 periods in the game.

In fact C. Jacinto hit two, 3-point bombs along with a triple pointer from Wooldrige, his second of the game, to make sure the 8th Graders would win their final game of the 2009 season.

Members of the 2009 Italy 8th Grade Boys squad are:
0-Cayden Jacinto, 16-points (including four, 3-pointers)
2-Ciro Suaste
4-Tony Wooldridge, 8-points (including two, 3-pointers)
5-Dylan Haight
10-Chase Hamilton
11-Pedro Cortez
15-Jacob Gonzalez
20-Reid Jacinto, 9-points (three, 3-pointers)
21-Cole Hopkins (4-points and controlled the boards)
24-Tyvion Copeland
25-Jake Escamillia
30-Adrian Reed
34-Paul Harris
50-Tim Fleming