Italy’s 7th & 8th grade boys battle until the season ending buzzer
Italy’s 7th grade tips-off one last time — Italy’s 7th grade boys played their final game of the season at Italy Coliseum on Monday, February 8. Above, Chace McGinnis jumps while Kelton Bales(55), Colton Petrey(23) and John Byers get ready to track the ball. (Barry Byers)
7th Grade Boys:
The 7th and 8th grade Italy boys basketball teams wrapped up their season against the Palmer Bulldogs on Monday, February 8.
In the 7th grade, Italy handled Palmer’s press defense and continued to work the ball up the floor thanks to John Escamilla, John Byers, Nick Cooper and Kyle Fortenberry. Unfortunately, Italy’s shots just wouldn’t fall and Palmer had a 9-2 lead after the 1st, with Chace McGinnis supplying Italy’s lone basket in the 1st quarter.
Colton Petrey made a basket in the 2nd quarter for Italy but two Palmer 3-pointers helped the Bulldogs take a 17-4 lead into the break.
In the 3rd, McGinnis was able to score again but Palmer added 6 more points to go up 23-6.
Italy picked up the intensity on defense as McGinnis, Kelton Bales, Cody Boyd and Tyler Vencill began patrolling the paint. Palmer managed just 4-points in the 4th quarter which Italy matched thanks to a 3-pointer from Escamilla and a free throw from Petrey.
A scrappy John Byers won several battles for loose balls but Palmer won the war by a final score of 27-10.
8th Grade Boys:
Italy’s 8th grade boys relied on teamwork to overcome a taller Palmer squad. Justin Wood was responsible for getting the ball across halfcourt. Treyvon Robertson, Darol Mayberry and Bailey Walton were the trigger men.
Kevin Roldan, Tristan Smithwick, Zain Byers and Kyle Machovick all pitched in as well Italy’s 8th grade boys finished their season with a 37-29 win over the Palmer Bulldogs.
The 8th graders look forward to moving up to the Italy High School J.V. squad next season and carry on the winning tradition.