George E. Scott Coliseum — IYAA Basketball, Week 3, saw it’s share of exciting finishes, amazing plays and gutsy performances. Sydney Lowenthal even swished a “granny shot” for goodness sake. The most exciting moments of Week 3 matched one Italy team against another. With bragging rights on the line, all the players gave it their all and then congratulated one another after the game.

The games on Saturday provided a chance for Italy Lady Gladiator coaches Stacy McDonald and Tina Richards to watch the upcoming talent in action. “I was very impressed with the girls coming up the ranks. Lady Gladiator basketball will be strong for the next several years,” said a smiling Coach McDonald.

Italy J.V. Gladiator basketball coach, Larry Mayberry, stopped by to check out the boys games as well in what truly was an exciting day of IYAA Sports.

Italy 10 (1st & 2nd Coed) consulted by Dustie Jones, battled down to the last second with Hillsboro Orange. A shot by Ricky Pendleton in the final moments rolled out allowing Hillsboro to escape with a 1-point win, 24-23.

Pendleton scored 13-points, including a 3-pointer, Alex Jones and Courtney Riddle both scored 3-points while Lacy Mott, Evan Cunningham, Mason Griffin and Sydney Lowenthal all swished in 1-point during the exciting game.

Catie South, Ty Beets, Gage Wafer, Jaylon Davis and Abby Evans pitched in on Italy 10’s comeback effort, especially in the rebounding department.

Italy 13 (3rd & 4th Girls, W/L 2-0) head coached by Derrick Cunningham and assisted by Allen Richards, were pitted against Italy 14, coached by Jerry Glenn, in a classic Italy vs. Italy matchup.

Both teams played hard and by halftime, the game was still in doubt. However, Italy 13 out scored Italy 14 in the 2nd half 12-2 to win 20-7. The combination of Brycelen Richards and Jenna Holden, who scored 7-points each, proved to be the difference in this one.

Also scoring for Italy 13 were Kirby Nelson with 3-points total, Emily Cunningham with a 2-point bucket in the 4th and Paige Henderson with 1-point from the free throw line. Raegan Jones, Karley Nelson and Haley Jones all played hard on the offensive boards helping Italy 13 get extra shots at the basket.

Grace Haight lead the Italy 14 attack with 4-points while Annie Perry swished in a free throw and handled the point guard duties. Chardonae Talton and Jashiryan Lacy both managed 1-point each from the free throw line as well.

Hannah Haight, Virginia Stephens, Carlee Wafer and Elisha McClendon played tough inside for Italy 14.

Italy 21 (3rd & 4th Boys) coached by Edwin Wallace, got the job done against Hillsboro Blue by winning 32-20. Italy 21’s Tylan Wallace scored 10-points to help lead his team to victory as Italy 21 is now 3-0 on the season.

Trevor Mott scored 6-points, Taron Smith scored 4-points, Cade Roberts hit 4-points, Al Waits made 3, Gary Escamilla was good for 3-points and Cason Roberts put in 2-points. Stephen Davis, Austin Lowe and Kiunte Lucas were relentless on defense helping Italy 21 get out on the fast break.

Italy 25 (5th & 6th Girls), Head Coached by Olympia Anderson and assisted by Vincent Anderson, overcame a heartbreaker last week in Hillsboro and took their frustrations out on Italy 24. Head Coached by Barry Byers and assisted by Monica Green, Italy 24 was 2-0 and in 1st place coming into the contest, but after Italy 25’s dominating 31-18 win, a three way tie for 1st has resulted in the division.

Cory Chance lead Italy 25’s scoring with 10-points, Charisma Anderson scored 4-points, Lizzie Garcia, Aarion Copeland and Oleshia Anderson made 3-points each. Quintera Washington and Kimberly Mata put in 2-points while Lyric Brooks, Moesha Griffin, Jasmine Hernandez and Taylor Henry scored 1-point each. Christy Murry helped Italy 25 hold Italy 24 to just 4-points in the 2nd half.

After the pre-game layups worth 1-point each, Italy 24 had a 9-8 advantage to start the game. However, it was all Italy 25 and their high-powered offense after that.

Leading the charge for Italy 24 was DeCorea Green with 6 free throws. Forward Hanna Washingon put in 3-points while Peyton Henderson, Halee Turner, Jozie Perkins, Jennifer McDaniel, Cassidy Childers, Janae Robertson, Lillie Perry, Brooke DeBorde and Ashlyn Jacinto all scored 1-point while Raven Harper provided defensive pressure on the ball.

And in the final game played at the old Italy gym on Saturday, Italy 30 (5th & 6th Boys) coached by Andrea Windham and assisted by Scott Connor, were locked in an intense battle with Italy 31, head coached by Shederick Walker and assisted by Glen McClendon.

In a tight game throughout, “Windham’s Warriors” claimed the lead in the final seconds and held on for a 42-38 victory. In an amazing 1st quarter of action, both teams were tied 23-23 going into the 2nd. However, in a stark contrast to the 1st quarter, both teams went scoreless in the 2nd and remained tied 23-23 at the break.

Italy 31 out scored Italy 30 by 2-points in the 3rd quarter, 15-13, and lead 38-36 going into the 4th. However, Italy 31 was held scoreless in the final quarter while Italy 30 put in 6-points. Levi McBride made 4 of his 9-points in the 4th and James Walton made 2 of his 9-points in the 4th to help “Windham’s Warriors” pull off the win.

Caden Petrey scored 7-points, Ryan Connor made 6-points, Ty Windham, hit 2-free throws and a 2-point basket as point guard, David DeLaHoya scored 3-points, Cole Falzerano added 2-points along with Jorge Galvan who made a basket as well. Thomas Crowell pitched in on defense as Italy 30 is now 2-1 on the season.

Italy 31’s Daren Cisneros scored 13-points, Joseph Celis scored 10-points, Markavion Thompson put in 6-points, Lance McClendon scored 4-points and ran the point, Fabian Cortez added 1-point, Jacob brooks scored 1-point, Michael Wilson put in 2-points and Michael Hughes added another.

IYAA Sports, “The winning tradition starts here.”