Italy JV Gladiators:
The Italy JV Gladiators passed a mighty test Tuesday night as their relentless press defense proved disruptive enough to take down a skilled Dallas Life Lions squad.

The Lioins took a 1-0 lead but a Jase Holden 3-pointer gave the JV Gladiators back the lead 3-1. Then a block by center Larry Mayberry sparked an Italy fast break capped off by a Bubba Itson, up-and-under, layup to make the score 5-1.

Later, an Itson 3-pointer gave Italy’s Jv a 10-1 advantage. The home team built a 17-6 lead, but with 0:50 left, the Lions scored the final 4-points of the opening period to make it 17-10.

Itson totaled 7-points while Kyle Jackson put in 6-points in the 1st for Italy.

Mayberry, Holden and Brandon Souder helped the JV Gladiators climb to a 28-18 lead with 6:35 left before intermission.

Mayberry continued to dominate the period scoring 10 of his 16-points in the 2nd, including a baseline jumper and a swish from the right elbow. The Lions seemed bewildered as they went into the locker room trailing 32-18.

After scoring to increase Italy’s lead 34-18, a frustrated Holden was forced to sit with foul trouble early in the 3rd. Fortunately, Italy’s Itson scored a bucket and then a 3-pointer to help keep Italy well in front 37-20.

The Lions tried to roar back into the match and pulled within 11, 37-26. Italy’s Souder scored inside and drew the and-1 with 5:16 left in the period. The free throw missed and the Lions scored to make the game 39-28. Reinserted by Coach Larry Mayberry, Holden put up a shot that rimmed off but was tipped in by Jackson to make the game 41-28, 4:45 left in the 3rd.

Italy’s JV rolled up the points after that and a Cole Hopkins assist to Itson made the score 47-29 to put even more distance between Italy and the lagging Lions. Later, with 0:27 still to go in the period, an Itson assist to Corrin Frazier made Italy’s lead 53-33 followed by a bucket inside by Jackson to close out the 3rd and give the JV Gladiators a 55-33 lead moving into the final 8:00.

Italy’s hot shooters turned cold early in the the 4th but a pair of Ta’Cory Green free throws kept the JV Gladiators in charge 59-41 with 5:00 to go.

Italy continued to find ways to score as Itson added 6 of his game high 18-points in the final period. Although Italy went scoreless in the final 2:00, Coach Mayberry’s JV team held on for a 71-52 win over the Dallas Life Lions.

JV Player stats:

Italy Gladiators:
The Dallas Life lions went up 2-0 but an assist from Italy’s Jasenio Anderson to John Isaac inside tied the game 2-2. The Lions went up 4-2 but a jumper by Italy’s Heath Clemons again tied the game 4-4. The Lions jumped out to an 8-4 lead but a pair of Anderson free throws and a 3-pointer by Italy’s De’Andre Sephus made the game 9-8 in Italy’s favor. One last bucket by Italy’s Colton Campbell, at the 1:40 mark, gave Italy the lead going into the 2nd period, 11-8.

After the low scoring 1st period, Italy began to sizzle the twine. A pair of Campbell free throws and a Clemons 3-pointer made the game 16-8 at the 7:00 mark. An Anderson assist inside to Campbell and a steal and score by Anderson, just moments later, increased Italy’s advantage 20-10.

The Gladiators were still in control when Campbell nailed a 3-pointer to make the 25-15. Anderson was fouled driving to the basket and put in 2 free shots to make the score 27-15, 4:05 left before the break.

A Clemons fast break layup and a free shot by Italy’s Oscar Gonzalez made the scoreboard read 31-19. After a Lion bucket, Anderson gave an alley-oop pass to a soaring Aaron Thomas who made the catch and scored 2-points before landing. The effort gave the Gladiators a 33-21 lead with 1:15 left as Italy finished the half with a 35-23 cushion.

In the 3rd period, the Dallas Life Lions got back in the fight and closed the gap 37-30 with 5:30 still to go. The Lions stayed hungry and pulled within 3 of italy 37-34 before a Campbell steal and score gave the Gladiators some breathing room at 39-34, 3:25 left.

The score was 39-36 when Anderson shot a pass over to Ryan Ashcraft who quickly banked it in to keep Italy progressing 41-36. A 3-point play the old-fashioned way by the Lions made the game 41-39.

The Lions made the game 43-42 and then stole the ball to ignite a lead changing fastbreak to go up 44-43 over the Gladiators, 0:39 left in the 3rd. Then Clemons put Italy back on top 45-44. The Lions then reclaimed the lead again 46-45 with 0:15 left. Italy had a chance to take the lead back but Ashcraft missed two free throws after being fouled on an inbound pass from Anderson. The Lions held their 46-45 edge going into the final period after outscoring Italy 17-10 during the 3rd.

An Anderson layup put the Gladiators on top 47-46 at the 7:00 mark of the 4th. The Lions went back in front 48-47 but a basket by Clemons gave Italy the 1-point advantage, 49-48, with 6:35 remaining in the game.

Baskets by Isaac and Anderson got the Gladiator fans to their feet as Italy now led 53-48, 5:15 to go. The Lions were still in pursuit but a pair of Anderson free throws kept the Gladiators up 55-52, 3:36 left.

Dallas Life scored the next 4-points to steal back the lead 56-55 with 3:00 remaining. However, an Italy fastbreak opportunity put the Gladiators back in the lead, thanks to an Isaac layup, 57-56. Another basket by Isaac kept Italy on top 59-58. With 1:09 remaining in this battle of wills, Clemons hit the second of 2 free throws to make the game 60-58 in favor of the Gladiators.

With Italy’s fans up on their feet and closing in on the court, the Lions hit two clutch free throws to tie the game 60-60 with 0:45 remaining. The Gladiators dribbled down the clock and then Italy coaches Kyle Holley and Larry Mayberry called a timeout with 0:11 to go.

The Gladiators inbounded the ball and passed to Campbell to shoot the game winner. Avoiding a near still, Campbell put up a jumper that overshot the rim but Ashcraft rebounding the ball in air and simultaneously tried to bank it in. The shot came up short but Ashcraft was fouled, sending him to the line, with only 2 ticks of the clock remaining.

Ashcraft shook off the nerves and stuck the 1st free shot like a sword into the Lion players. With the Gladiator lead now 61-60, a calm Ashcraft then gave the sword a little twist when he rattled in the 2nd free shot to give Italy a 62-60 edge.

The Lions flung the inbound pass downcourt where it was caught by Italy’s Anderson who flung the ball back over his head before stepping out. Unfortunately, the referees said Anderson stepped on the line during the catch giving life to Dallas Life’s hopes of a possible tie, or win, with a 3-pointer.

With 0:01 remaining, the Lions inbounded toward their goal but the pass was batted down in the paint. Ryan Ashcraft’s free throws proved to be the difference as Italy found a way, 62-20 over Dallas Life.

When asked, “What was running thru your mind before shooting the game winning free throws?” Ryan Ascraft said, “I was just concerned about what Coach Mayberry might do to me if I missed them.” Fortunately, Ashcraft and his teammates earned a pat on the head from Coach Mayberry after the win.

Varsity Player stats: