Italy Summer League Boys Basketball is rim rocking

Submitted Story Posted June 12, 2009 4:00pm Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: John Isaac and the Gladiators plan on reaching another level — John Isaac and the Gladiators plan on reaching another level (Barry Byers)

Italy’s JV and Varsity Boys basketball teams competed in their 2nd round of summer league games on Monday.

To start, the Italy JV was matched against against Avalon for the Chambers Creek Classic between neighbors. Although Avalon didn’t backdown from their 1A Classified opponent, Italy’s JV and their defensive pressure proved to be to formidable a challenge.

Larry Mayberry, defensively, was a force to reckon with throughout the game collecting several blocks. Jase Holden was golden playing defensive back for Italy’s full court press defense. The JV Gladiators eventually pulled away for the win, 61-30. Until their next meeting, the banks on Italy’s side of Chambers Creek will be standing a bit higher.

Italy Varsity Boys competed against the Avalon Eagles as well, and just like the Avalon JV team had done, the Varsity Eagles flew into town trying to make a point as well. However, it was the Gladiators making the ultimate statement with a 62-51 victory.

Defensively, Italy began created turnovers relying own teamwork and hustle plays sparked by Junior Jasenio Anderson (last season’s Defensive Player Of The Year, in the district) and his cousin, a Senior, Desmond Anderson (Honarable Mention).

After a sluggish start for John Isaac, he asserted himself offensively in the 2nd half helping to lead Italy’s Varsity to the win over the Eagles.

The JV Gladiators played a 2nd game against Milford’s JV team in the Battle for Hwy. 77. Both benches charged their troops onto the court, but it was Milford suffering the most sports casualties as the JV Gladiators conquered, 72-48.

Don’t be mislead by the scores, expect both Avalon and Milford to have talented basketball teams, controlling the courts again next season, on their way to the playoffs.