After the holiday break, Italy’s Junior High basketball teams returned to the hardwood against the Whitney Wildcats on Monday. The boys teams competed in Italy while the girls teams battled for bragging rights in Whitney.

Using the school colors as inspiration, head coach Larry Mayberry split the Italy Junior High boys basketball team into two separate squads this season, “Gold” and “White”.

Italy’s White team, lead by Levi McBride’s 16-points, earned their first win of the season after whipping the Whitney Wildcats 28-24 under the Italy Coliseum dome on Monday. McBride received scoring help from Tony Wilson, who put in 10-points, and Kyle Fortenberry, who added a 2-point basket in the fourth, to improve their team’s record to 1-1.

2010-2011 Italy White Roster:

In the second game, Italy’s Gold team had the Wildcats on the ropes as Italy held an 18-14 advantage with 2:13 remaining in the third period. Fast break points allowed the Wildcats to tie the game 18-all. Soon after, a half-court steal by Italy’s John Escamilla setup a layup by Ryan Connor to put the Gold team back in front 20-18.

Out of the press, a steal by Connor setup a two-on-one fast break opportunity with teammate John Byers. Connor passed across the lane to Byers who then squeezed in a bank shot over Whitney’s center to give back, the run-and-fun Gladiators, a 22-18 lead. Whitney’s buzzer-beater shot, from the right wing, skims off the front of the rim to end the third.

The Wildcats scored first in the fourth period to stay within reach, 22-20. Out of their half-court offense, Italy’s Cody Boyd receives a pass into the high post from wingman Ty Windham. Boyd realizes the defender is playing him soft and quickly takes advantage. Making a half-turn at the right elbow, Boyd shoots an arching jumper that drops in on the third bounce, 24-20 Gladiators with 4:00 minutes to play.

Whitney answers right back with an inside banker from the right block, 24-22 with Italy still in front. Italy’s comes up empty on their next possession but Kelton Bales forces an up-and-down call against the ’Cats and referee Don Garrison returns the ball to the Gladiators. Again on offense, Byers gets a decent look at a short-range jumper but the shot ricochets into the paws of a Wildcat defender and Whitney attacks the opposite end of the court.

The Wildcats get a clear lane to the basket but get called for traveling allowing Italy to maintain their 2-point advantage, 24-22, with 2:28 still to go. Italy’s Lance Peck hurries toward the basket and is fouled hard during his layup attempt. Both free-throw tries by Peck rim off and the fast breaking Wildcats earn a trip to the foul line at their goal.

Swishing the second of two free-throws, Whitney pulls within 1-point, 24-23. With 1:54 showing, Italy Gold advances the ball up court. The pass ahead appears to be on its way out-of-bounds when Escamilla manages to stay in bounds while bouncing the ball off a Wildcat defender’s leg to save the Gladiators’ possession.

Under their own basket, Boyd inbounds to Escamilla who floats up a shot from the right side of the floor, and over a couple of Wildcat defenders for the score, 26-23, Gladiators in control. Windham quickly steals the ball and draws a foul for his efforts. Windham confidently swishes the first but comes up short on the second attempt. However, Italy Gold has a 4-point lead, 27-23, with time ticking away on the Wildcats.

With 1:30 remaining, the Wildcats strike fast with a bucket inside to close the distance, 27-25, 1:24 to play. Whitney fouls Escamilla on the inbound pass but the daring point guard misses the front end of the 1-and-1 giving Whitney a chance to tie the game again but the Wildcats are called for another travel and take a timeout to regroup.

Whitney’s press defense steals Italy’s inbound pass and a Wildcat is fouled and visits the foul line. Whitney makes the first but not the second free-throw try to pull within 1-point, 27-26, 1:10 remains. Italy rebounds the miss and lobs the ball up the court. The ball’s momentum carries it out-of-bounds resulting in a Gladiators’ turnover. Whitney rushes the ball past mid-court and miss on their first two shot attempts, but a second rebound and a third put back proves charming, as the Wildcats claw their way into the lead, 28-27.

Byers converts a near turnover into a drive to the basket and is awarded two free-throw attempts. With his Italy Gold team trailing by 1-point, Byers watches his first try hit the back of the rim, bounce up, and then drop clean thru to tie the game, 28-28. Byers swishes his second free shot to reclaim a 1-point lead for Italy, 29-28, 0:33 remaining.

Whitney wastes little time and rapidly scores from the right block with a kiss off the glass to switch the advantage back to the Wildcats, 30-29, with 0:29 remaining and a victor yet to emerge.

Whitney’s press defenses pressures the ball creating a steal at mid-court. Byers wisely fouls the Wildcat shooter and the strategy works as both free-throws are off the mark. With 0:12 on the clock, Italy Gold is unable to put up one last shot attempt as Whitney rallies back to win 30-29.

Despite being competitive in their first two outings, Italy Gold starts out 0-2 on the season. However, Coach Mayberry’s run-and-fun approach will make his team difficult to contend with down the road.

2010-2011 Italy Gold Roster:

Go Gold & White!