With the IYAA basketball season winding down in week 8, coaches and players tried to leave lasting impressions in their final games. From granny shots and 3-point bombs to fast break layups and precision passes, the IYAA showcased them all on Saturday inside the old Italy gym.

Italy 9 (1st & 2nd Coed) coached by Deloris Harris and assisted by Mailen Davis, battled back to tie their game with Hillsboro Black 24-24 after Cornelius Jones made back-to-back baskets with 0:32 left in the 3rd. In the 4th, however, Hillsboro managed 4 more points to win 28-24 in a rousing 1st game on Saturday that helped everyone in the gym awaken.

Cornelius Jones lead the “Harris Hoopsters” with 7-points and Michael Gonzalez finished with 6-points. Zorian Burley scored 3-points as did Destiny Harris. Xander Galvan scored 2-points while teammates Bryce DeBorde, Reese Janek and Jacee Coffman each added 1-point as every player on Italy 9’s roster scored in the game.

Italy 13 (3rd & 4th Girls) head coached by Derrick Cunningham and assisted by Allen Richards, were leading 14-7 at the half and went on to win 26-15 over Hillsboro Maroon.

For Italy 13, Emily Cunningham scored at least 2-points in each quarter for a game high 13-points. Point guard Brycelen Richards scored 5-points, Kirby Nelson put in 3-points and Karley Nelson and Haley Jones each scored 2-points. Jenna Holden added 1-points while Paige Henderson and Reagan Jones were scrappy on defense.

Italy 30 (5th & 6th Boys) coached by Andrea Windham and assisted by Scott Connor, held off a hard playing Italy 31 team, head coached by Shedrick Walker and assisted by Glenn McClendon. When the final buzzer sounded, Italy 30 had pulled out a 56-46 victory against their friends and classmates.

For Italy 30, Caden Petrey had a monster game with 18-points including a 3-pointer. Ryan Connor scored 10-points, Ty Windham scored 7-points and Levi McBride put in 7-points as well, including a 3-pointer. David De La Hoya scored 5-points while James Walton, Thomas Crowell and Jorge Galvan each made 1-point in the high scoring affair.

Italy 31’s high scorer was Markavian Thompson with 24-points, including a 3-point basket. Point guard Lance McClendon scored 14-points, Daren Cisneros scored 4-points, Fabian Cortez put in 2-points while Jacob Brooks and Michael Hughes each scored 1-point each and Michael Wilson helped on both sides of the ball for Coach Walker.

Italy 24 (5th & 6th Girls) coached by Barry Byers and assisted by Monica Lambert, turned the defensive intensity up on Saturday, and offensively, let shots fly against Hillsboro Royal Blue. Italy 24 took a 19-6 halftime lead after Halee Turner dropped the three-bomb on Hillsboro in the 2nd quarter.

Lead by Lillie Perry’s 7-points, Italy 24 was relentless in their attack. DeCorea Green finished with 5-points and Hannah Washington scored 3-points while Raven Harper, Cassidy Childers and Janae Robertson each scored 2-points. Jennifer McDaniel made 1-point, Brooke DeBorde hit her halftime free throw worth 1-point and Jozie Perkins scored 1-point. Ashlyn Jacinto held her ground on defense and Peyton Henderson gave Coach Byers valuable minutes, splitting time at the point guard position.

Head coach Ken Norwood and his Italy 29 (5th & 6th Boys) team, nicknamed “Norwood’s Netpoppers,” remain undefeated after getting the job done against Hillsboro Forest Green with 31-15 win.

Top scorers for Italy 29 were Kenneth “Hurricane” Norwood with 7-points, Kevin Johnson with 6-points and Kendrick Norwood with 5-points. Christian Gatlin put in 5-points and Cameron Carter scored 3-points. Jarred Gatlin, Jarvis Harris, Chasston Wilson and Hunter Ballard scored 1-point each with every player on Italy 29’s roster finding the bottom of the net on Saturday.

Playoff Game (3rd & 4th Boys)

Italy 21 (3rd & 4th Boys) coached by Edwin Wallace, took care of business against Hillsboro Royal Blue to win 29-8 in a Playoff game. Italy 21’s Tylan Wallace put in 11-points to lead the way for Italy while Taron Smith scored 7-points.

Gary Escamilla put in 3-points as did Cason Roberts and Cade Roberts. Al Waits put in 2-points for the cause and Austin Lowe controlled the boards as Italy 21 remains undefeated as well.

IYAA Sports, “The winning tradition starts here.”