Italy’s 7th & 8th grade boys battle until the season ending buzzer

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Johnny on the spot — John Byers(44) pulls up for a jump shot against the Palmer Bulldogs.

Johnny on the spot — John Byers(44) pulls up for a jump shot against the Palmer Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelton Bales shoots — Kelton Bales(55) takes a baseline jumper over Palmer’s big man.

Kelton Bales shoots — Kelton Bales(55) takes a baseline jumper over Palmer’s big man. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chace has no fear — Chace McGinnis tries to finish the fast break before being attacked by a Bulldog.

Chace has no fear — Chace McGinnis tries to finish the fast break before being attacked by a Bulldog. (Barry Byers)

Image: Down goes Byers — John Byers(44) didn’t get the layup and didn’t get the foul called either; however, the fallen Bulldog did have to go to the vet.

Down goes Byers — John Byers(44) didn’t get the layup and didn’t get the foul called either; however, the fallen Bulldog did have to go to the vet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Making a play — John Escamilla(12) races down court and lofts up a shot.

Making a play — John Escamilla(12) races down court and lofts up a shot. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton shoots — Colton Petrey(23) leaps into a 3-point shot against the Palmer defense.

Colton shoots — Colton Petrey(23) leaps into a 3-point shot against the Palmer defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Byers delivers a shot — John Byers(44) tries to punch into the Palmer lead while Tyler Vencill(5) posts up down low.

Byers delivers a shot — John Byers(44) tries to punch into the Palmer lead while Tyler Vencill(5) posts up down low. (Barry Byers)

Image: Running the point — John Escamilla(12) runs the point for the 7th grade squad.

Running the point — John Escamilla(12) runs the point for the 7th grade squad. (Barry Byers)

Image: Petrey elevates — Colton Petrey(23) elevates his game against Palmer.

Petrey elevates — Colton Petrey(23) elevates his game against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mayberry and Ward — Coaches Larry Mayberry and Josh Ward try to rally the team.

Mayberry and Ward — Coaches Larry Mayberry and Josh Ward try to rally the team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton goes in… — …and Bulldogs go flying.

Colton goes in… — …and Bulldogs go flying. (Barry Byers)

Image: Forcing a jump ball — Chace McGinnis(13) ties up a Bulldog under the basket.

Forcing a jump ball — Chace McGinnis(13) ties up a Bulldog under the basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice game! — Chace McGinnis(13), Colton Petrey(23) and coach Josh Ward shake hands with Palmer’s players after the game.

Nice game! — Chace McGinnis(13), Colton Petrey(23) and coach Josh Ward shake hands with Palmer’s players after the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Should’ve shot more… — John Byers discusses the game with his father, Brent Byers (Red Jacket) and friend T.J. Schrotke.

Should’ve shot more… — John Byers discusses the game with his father, Brent Byers (Red Jacket) and friend T.J. Schrotke. (Barry Byers)

Image: 8th graders get set — Charging out of the tunnel, wearing white trunks with an old gold stripe, are your 8th grade Gladiators. This bout is scheduled for four rounds.

8th graders get set — Charging out of the tunnel, wearing white trunks with an old gold stripe, are your 8th grade Gladiators. This bout is scheduled for four rounds. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle defends — Kyle Machovick(10), Darol Mayberry and Treyvon Robertson(15) try to clog the middle against Palmer.

Kyle defends — Kyle Machovick(10), Darol Mayberry and Treyvon Robertson(15) try to clog the middle against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey drives — Bailey Walton(13) tries to make a move on the baseline.

Bailey drives — Bailey Walton(13) tries to make a move on the baseline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(41) tries to get open.

Kevin Roldan(41) tries to get open. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trey to pass — Treyvon Robertson(15) clears out space to get a pass away.

Trey to pass — Treyvon Robertson(15) clears out space to get a pass away. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin to rebound — Justin Wood(4) is versatile, a rebounder inside and the point guard outside.

Justin to rebound — Justin Wood(4) is versatile, a rebounder inside and the point guard outside. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tristan blocks view — Tristan Smithwick tries to block the view of Palmer’s inbound passer.

Tristan blocks view — Tristan Smithwick tries to block the view of Palmer’s inbound passer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Secret in the stands — When Kim Nelson speaks…all the girls listen.

Secret in the stands — When Kim Nelson speaks…all the girls listen. (Barry Byers)

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