JV Boys put on a show to end the Season

Barry Byers Posted February 23, 2009 4:30pm Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: “Wild Thing” Wilkins — Kyle Wilkins seems to be trying to match Harlem Globetrotter, Michael “Wild Thing” Wilson’s, world record in the vertical slam dunk. Wilson set the record on April 1, 2000, by successfully dunking on a 12-foot basket. The event, which took place at Indianapolis’ Conseco Fieldhouse, marked the Harlem Globetrotters’ first-ever appearance at Final Four Weekend. — “Wild Thing” Wilkins — Kyle Wilkins seems to be trying to match Harlem Globetrotter, Michael “Wild Thing” Wilson’s, world record in the vertical slam dunk. Wilson set the record on April 1, 2000, by successfully dunking on a 12-foot basket. The event, which took place at Indianapolis’ Conseco Fieldhouse, marked the Harlem Globetrotters’ first-ever appearance at Final Four Weekend. (Anne Sutherland)

Coached by Larry “Curly” Mayberry, the “Italian Globetrotters” sprinted passed the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles with trick ball handling and no look passes. The only thing missing was a bucket of confetti being tossed into the crowd.

Waxahachie played the role of the Washington Generals as the Italian Globetrotters dazzled fans with amazing displays of teamwork. The players have been giving Globetrotter nicknames inspired by their dazzling performance. Jase “Pop” Holden got the performance started forcing turnovers and scoring at will, including a 3-pointer.

To open the game, Italy’s #5 Colton “Twiggy” Campbell put in 8 of his 18-points in the 1st period. #10 Corrin “Flight Time” Frazier scored 6-points. Actually, 9 different Italy players scored in the 1st and every Gladiator scored in the game. Now that’s teamwork.

Italy #13 Larry “Meadowlark” Mayberry dropped in a 3-pointer, and since he’s a center on the Gladiator JV squad, that’s some trick. Italy was leading by 34-5 at the end of the 1st period, which was pretty amazing as well.

This is one of the best young ball handling groups Italy has ever had on the floor. One player steals the ball and passes ahead to a teammate who scores and on the next series the roles may flip. What’s really fascinating to watch is the simplicity at which they score points. If the pass is there make it and if the shot is there take it.

Bobby “Wildkat” Wilson scored 4-points total, one basket in each period. Ethan “Special K” Saxon #21 and Brandon “Bam Bam” Souder #11 each scored a basket in the 1st.

Holden highlighted the 2nd period with his second, 3-pointer and Italy, as a team, added 21-points more to their score to take a 55-14 lead at halftime.

Halftime

Italy’s #2 Kyle “Tex” Jackson led the Gladiators JV attack in the 3rd period with 6-points. Deandre “Slick” Sephus #3 added 4 of his 10-points as well. #20 Ryan “Rocket” Ashcraft thrilled the audience with a spectacular no look, over right back shoulder pass down inside to the block for a Gladiator score.

The story in the 3rd, however, was the relentless full court pressure poured on by the Italian Globetrotters. Italy held Waxahachie Advantage to only 1-point put in by Eagle’s player #1 C. Tennery.

Italy’s big man #50 Kyle “Wild Thing” Wilkins got on the board with a 2-point basket along with Sephus and Campbell. However, it was #1 Eduardo “El Gato” Garcia’s big bank shot that put the exclamation point on an unforgettable 2009 season! The game ended with the Italian Globetrotters winning 77-32 over Waxahachie Advantage.

Italy Gladiators 2009 JV Roster:
1-Eduardo Garcia (Soph), 2-points
2-Kyle Jackson (Fr), 8-points
3-Deandre Sephus (Soph), 10-points
4-Jase Holden (Fr), 14-points (two, 3-pointers)
5-Colton Campbell (Soph), 18-points
10-Corrin Frazier (Fr), 6-points
11-Brandon Souder (Fr), 2-points
13-Darol Mayberry (Fr), 3-points
20-Ryan Ashcraft (Soph), 4-points
21-Ethan Saxon (Soph), 2-points
33-Bobby Wilson (Soph), 4-points
50-Kyle Wilkins (Soph), 4-points

Click here for the official Harlem Globetrotters website

Warming up — Italy’s JV Boys reached some lofty goals this season. (Anne Sutherland)

It’s away! — Italy put up shot after shot with little resistance. (Anne Sutherland)

Colton scores — Colton Campbell #5 lays it in as Deandre Sephus #3 follows it in. (Anne Sutherland)

Deandre fades — Deandre Sephus #3 hits a fade away jump shot against Waxahachie Advantage. (Anne Sutherland)

Holden let’s it go — Jase Holden #4 let’s a 3-pointer go. (Anne Sutherland)

Campbell gives chase — Colton Campbell #5 guards the inbounder and then sets his sights on the poor lad who caught the pass. (Anne Sutherland)

Sephus is slick — Deandre demonstrates his slick moves in the air. (Anne Sutherland)

Jase flips it up — Jase flips a shot up and over the Eagle defense. (Anne Sutherland)

“Meadowlark” Mayberry — Larry showed his range against the Eagles hitting a 3-pointer in the game. (Anne Sutherland)

Mayberry dazzles fans — Imagine the Harlem Globetrotter theme song while watching Larry’s dribbling skills. (Anne Sutherland)

“Special K” Saxon — Ethan Saxon #21 grabs some air and 2-points against the Eagles. (Anne Sutherland)

Italy moves in — The Italy players move in for the rebound. (Anne Sutherland)

Bobby “Wildkat” Wilson — Bobby “Wildkat” Wilson #33 puts up a shot in the Italy Gladiators JV’s final game of the 2009 season. Wilson scored 4-points total during the contest. (Anne Sutherland)

Saxon soars — Ethan Saxon #21 kisses one off the glass. (Anne Sutherland)

“Flight Time” Frazier — Corrin climbs to the rim for 2-points. (Anne Sutherland)

Souder shoots — Brandon “Bam Bam” Souder scores inside. (Anne Sutherland)

“Twiggy” Campbell — Colton Campbell rings Waxahachie’s bell with two more points. (Anne Sutherland)

Jase with the left — Jase lays it in with the left because it’s the right thing to do. (Anne Sutherland)

Saxon shows off — Ethan “Special K” Saxon perches an Eagle on his arm while the Eagle spins the ball. Now that’s tricky. (Anne Sutherland)

Calf scramble — Colton and Ryan give their calves a nice stretch while going after the ball. (Anne Sutherland)

Jase wins race — Italy just edged out Waxahachie at the line by the score of 77-32. (Anne Sutherland)