Italy’s 7th grade boys:
It’s no secret that the Hampton Prepatory Pheonix has great young talent on its Junior High basketball teams. It’s also true that the Italy Junior High Gladiators have never backed away from a challenge. And in the 7th grade game, Italy did everything but throw a bucket of water on the burning birds to cool them off.

Even thru the smokey haze of a loosing battle, you could see some bright spots for the young Gladiators. Before the game, Tyler Vencil was stroking a smooth jumpshot and managed to hit a couple of long-range bombs during the game.

Chace “Gunner” McGinnis passes bullets to his teammates making him one of Italy’s most skilled passers. J.T. Escamilla had no fear as he managed to dribble into the heart of the Phoenix defense time after time. Kelton Bales, in his first year playing organized basketball, has a natural feel for the game grabbing several rebounds as he learns the ins-and-outs of working the low post.

Cody Boyd and Nichlas Cooper add speed and defensive prowess to Italy’s lineup that boasts three offensive lineman in their rotation. One of which, is power forward John Byers, who earned a foul last week after making a tackle near midcourt and then shot 2 technical shots this week after getting into physical confrontations with Pheonix players.

After Hampton lead 4-0, Vencil knocked down one of those sweet jumpers to make the game 4-2, letting the Phoenix players know Italy was here to play. However, two Hampton 3-pointers and a free throw later, the Phoenix lead 11-2 after the 1st quarter.

Italy’s 7th graders waged an attack against Hampton in the 2nd. An Escamilla steal and fast break pass to Byers lead to free throws but both rolled out. At the 3:01 mark, Byers rebounded a Hampton missed free throw and launched a pass down to Bales who was swarmed by Hampton’s speed, unable to get the shot off.

The score was, 14-2 with 2:38 left in the 2nd, when Escamilla drew a foul trying to finish on the break. Escamilla made 1-of-2 to make the score 14-3.

A second Vencil jumper from the left elbow of the lane, with 0:33 left, made the halftime score 16-5.

Hampton added distance between them and Italy in the 3rd taking a commanding lead into the 4th, 27-7.

At the 5:41 mark of the final quarter, Escamilla nailed a baseline jumper to make the score 27-9. Trailing 29-9 with 3:00 left, Byers had words with a Phoenix player resulting in Hampton Prep being charged with a technical.

The technical free throws rattled out but just 14 seconds later, Escamilla went to the line and put in 1-of-2 to make the score 39-10. Byers received an assist from Escamilla to finish the fast break in the final seconds as Hampton Prep overcame Italy’s muscle to win 39-12.

Italy’s 8th grade boys:
A Darol Mayberry 3-pointer had Italy’s 8th Grade team thinking upset at the 4:35 mark of the 1st. Byers made 1-of-2 free throws to keep Italy in front 4-2.

Hampton Prep tied the game at the 3:00 mark but another free throw from Byers and a bucket by [Name Withheld] gave Italy an 8-5 edge going into the 2nd.

A Justin Wood score inside made the game 10-5 in Italy’s favor but the Hampton Prep Pheonix offense began to heat up. Hampton Prep tied the game and then lead 13-10 until a Cockran free throw made the game 13-11, 2:43 left before half.

A pass from Tristan Smithwick up ahead to Wood forced Hampton Prep to foul. Wood made 1-of-2 and the score was still tight with just over 2:00 to go.

Hampton Prep then scored 12-points in the final 1:53 to lead at halftime 27-12.

Hampton Prep continued to dominate in the second half as well taking a 32-18 lead at the end of the 3rd and eventually winning 60-26.

It was not all gloom for the 8th grade boys as Byers had his best outing thus far with 6-points and Kevin Roldan scored his first basket of the season.

Both boys Junior High boys teams play again in Italy on Thursday, January 7, in a rematch against Irving North Hills. Both Junior High girls teams will play at Irving North Hills on the same day.

Scores and stats from the Jr High Girls’ games against the Hampton Prep Phoenix:

7th grade girls: (26-14 Italy)

8th grade girls: (9-23 Hampton)