Above The Rim 9th Annual Invitational Basketball Tournament

Barry Byers Posted Italy Gladiator Basketball
Image: Ellis County teams rise “Above The Rim” during Italy tournament — The 9th annual Above The Rim Invitational Tournament was an aerial display of slam dunks and long range 3-point bombs. Even for those alumni who can’t quite get above the rim anymore, the tournament was an opportunity to show their, more mature, ground attack.

Ellis County teams rise “Above The Rim” during Italy tournament — The 9th annual Above The Rim Invitational Tournament was an aerial display of slam dunks and long range 3-point bombs. Even for those alumni who can’t quite get above the rim anymore, the tournament was an opportunity to show their, more mature, ground attack. (Barry Byers)

The 9th annual Above The Rim Invitational Basketball Tournament was held Friday and Saturday night at the Old Gym in Italy. Italy Basketball Coach Larry Mayberry and Milford’s Basketball Coach Otis Carter organized this year’s event.

A total of eight teams from Italy, Itasca, Maypearl, Midlothian, Waxahachie & Milford each paid a $130 entry fee to participate in the challenge. Some of the best athletes from Ellis County competed for bragging rights including NFL great Keith Davis who teamed with friends and a few of his old teammates from the 1997 Italy State Championship team.

Joining Davis were the Wallace brothers as all three could still find the bottom of the net from way behind the 3-point line. In fact, Kenneth Wallace had five 3-pointers in the first half of a game that was eventually won by Itasca.

Another Italy team had a recent Gladiator alumni Dontavius Clemons teaming with legend in the making, Heath Clemons, and IYAA Coach Shedrick “Air Munchie” Walker. Good news for Gladiator fans, Clemons was incredible from the field as “Air Munchie” was just trying to live up to his name.

Team Ollie from Ennis, led by the high flying Terrance Thomas, looked to be the team to beat as David Ramirez kept “Ollie”-ooping the ball to Thomas for several dunks throughout the weekend. Even when Ramirez was resting on the bench, Thomas just passed to himself off the backboard and slammed it down.

However, Itasca was loaded with several long range gunners led by trigger man Derek Bryant. Itasca also showcased 6’5" Jeremy Smith, who stole the ball in the first half of Itasca’s first game of the tournament and dribbled the length of the floor for a one-handed jam.

Former Gladiators Xavier Randle and his brother Jeremy Brown were also on Team Itasca, that ultimately won the tournament, by defeating Team Ollie in the Championship game 82-60 to claim the trophies.

The referee crew led by Gladiator legend Donald Price did a nice job of keeping the games light hearted and fun. Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley also was a referee when he wasn’t running the clock.

Coach Mayberry said, “I’m very happy with the turn out and I look forward to next years competition.”