7th Grade Boys:
With 1:37 left in the half, Colton Petrey hit the front end of a 1-and-1 to finally put the Italy 7th grade boys on the board, 20-1. Although the 1st half was dominated by Dallas Life, the lone free throw supplied by Petrey gave Italy momentum that carried them thru halftime and into the 3rd quarter.

Playing more aggressive defense sparked Italy’s 7th grade offensive attack in the 3rd. A miscue on the inbound pass to start the 2nd half by Dallas Life allowed Petrey to drop in an easy layup to make the score 20-3.

Dallas Life pushed their lead to 30-3 but a John Escamilla 3-pointer drew cheers from Italy fans as the score was adjusted to 30-6. With 0:33 left, a long pass downcourt from Nick Cooper capped a stronger played 3rd for Italy when Escamilla’s pull-up jumper, in the lane, made the score 30-8.

After outscoring Italy by 19-points in the first half, Dallas Life only out pointed Italy by 1 in the 3rd, 10-9

A Petrey steal early in the 4th produced no points but a Kelton Bales layup made the score 32-10. Dallas life answered to make it 34-10 but Italy scored again to make the game 34-12 and then added a free throw to pull closer, 34-13.

Dallas Life scored to lead 36-13 but a Cooper 3-pointer, with 1:47 remaining, concluded the scoring and made the final count 36-13. Overcoming their early scoring struggles, the Italy 7th grade team outscored Dallas Life 8-6 in the 4th, managing to finish strong.

8th Grade Boys:
Dallas Life scored first but Treyvon Robertson hit a fall away baseline shot to tie the game 2-2. Dallas Life went up 4-2 before Justin Wood tied the game again at the 1:21 mark, 4-4.

Dallas Life lead 6-4 and then missed out on extending their lead after missing two free throws. Italy had a chance to tie the match yet again but the layup by Robertson didn’t beat the buzzer and Dallas Life was still ahead to start the 2nd, 6-4.

In the 2nd quarter, Italy’s 8th grade boys used the full court press to take over control of the game. Italy built a 9-8 lead and then Robertson saved a pass from going out of bounds and passed it to an open Deiondre Cockran who was waiting under the basket to score the gimme. The effort gave Italy an 11-8 advantage at halftime.

A Darol Mayberry 3-pointer gave Italy a 20-10 lead in the 3rd. Italy went up 22-16 and then Robertson was fouled on his way to the rack and scored the basket. Robertson completed the 3-point play to give Italy a 25-10 cushion.

Dallas life failed to keep pace as a turn around jumper by Zain Byers, on the low block, increased Italy’s advantage 27-12. Dallas Life did put in 2 free throws before the quarters end but Italy continued to lead 27-12 going into the 4th.

Dallas Life tried to force the issue in the final quarter and began attacking offensively. The visiting team climbed back into the match and pulled within 7-points, 27-20. Italy’s Bailey Walton had enough, however, and hit a basket followed by a layup from Robertson to seal the win for Italy’s 8th grade boys, 31-20.

The Italy Junior High Boys will play away on Monday February 1 against Hampton Prep with the 7th grade boys starting at 5:00 p.m. The Italy Junior High Girls will be playing home games at Italy Coliseum with the 7th grade girls starting things off at 5:30 p.m.

Go Italy Junior High Lady Gladiators and Gladiators!