Italy Invitational Tournament – Day 2

First Italy Game: Italy Lady Gladiators vs. Milford:
After the Milford Lady Bulldogs pulled off an unbelievable comeback on Day 1 against the Venus Lady Bulldogs to win 30-27, Milford’s Ashley Ross could not recreate the magic on Day 2 against the Italy Lady Gladiators(6-1).

Italy’s Jimesha Reed was just too powerful for Milford to handle inside. Despite a sore ankle, Reed scored a game high, 18-points, to lead the Lady Gladiators as they routed their 2nd win of the tournament 64-11.

Second Italy Game: JV Gladiators vs. Teague (Varsity):
The Italy JV Gladiators matched up against the Teague Tigers(Varsity) in their second game of the tournament.

After losing a heartbreaker by 1-point to the Palmer varsity on Day 1, Italy’s JV was determined to get a win over a Varsity squad. By the end of the 1st half, it still seemed possible as Italy’s JV was up by 1-point, 27-26, at intermission.

In the 3rd, a Bubba Itson 3-pointer followed by 3 made free shots by Itson, after being fouled while attempting a 3-pointer, tied the game 35-35.

A Jase Holden steal resulting in a Holden fast break lay-up put Italy’s J.V. back in front 37-36 after three intense quarters.

Holden dropped in a 3-pointer to start the 4th, giving the JV Gladiators a 40-36 advantage. Unfortunately, Holden picked up his fourth foul after being called for offensive charging. Dismayed, Italy JV Head Coach Larry Mayberry stood motionless as his clip board dropped to the floor, Splat!

Never at a loss for words, Italy’s JV coach could only muster a silent stare at the referee as the zebra trotted past. With Holden on the bench, Teague pulled within 1-point of the JV Gladiators, 40-39, with 6:30 left in the game. With 5:50 left in the game, Italy center Larry Mayberry(sophomore), scored inside to keep distance between Italy and the Tigers.

Reinserted back into the game, Holden was fouled in the act of shooting and added 2 more free throws to make the score 44-39.

Italy’s JV matched every point the Teague offense could accumulate in the final minutes. The JV Gladiators ultimately finished off Teague’s Varsity boys 58-51 to advance into the Consolation Championship game to be played on Saturday, December 5.

Third Italy Game: Italy Gladiators vs. Venus:
The Venus Bulldogs lead early 4-0 over the Italy Gladiators but Italy’s Jasenio Anderson quickly tied the game 4-4 at the 6:25 mark of the 1st.

J. Anderson then stole a Bulldog pass and gave an assist to John Isaac who finished the fast break to give the Gladiators a 6-4 lead. Italy would never trail again as DeAndre Sephus added a 3-pointer to help give the hometown boys a 19-9 1st quarter lead.

Down 26-13, the Venus Head Coach was charged with a technical and Italy’s Isaac made 2 free shots to make the score 28-13. A few trips later, Italy’s Colton Campbell scored inside to make the game 35-20 followed by buckets from Sephus, J. Anderson and Isaac to close out the 3rd strong and take a 41-24 lead into the 4th.

After going up 51-31, Italy slowed down their aggression allowing the Bulldogs to make a run. With the score now 57-51, Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley reapplied his press defense and that was all she wrote as Italy won their second game of the tournament 70-61.