Italy — After an eventful four games played between Italy’s and Axtell’s junior high girls’ basketball squads on Monday, Axtell’s teams managed to escape with 3-out-of-4 wins. However, much improved Italy teams made the task for Axtell more difficult as opposed to an earlier season matchup between our two towns.

Italy’s 7B Girls team, which included Sarah Coleman, Brittany Chambers, Kaci Bales, Cassidy Svehlak, Brenya Williams, Taleyhia Wilson and Raven Harper, had their hands full against Axtell for the majority of the contest.

However, Trailing Axtell 10-0 in the fourth, Italy’s Harper decided to generate some dome noise. Creating multiple steals, Harper unleashed a furious assault on Axtell’s backcourt and powered in six fourth quarter points with her father, Bryant Cockran, leading the cheers.

Despite the flurry of points, Axtell was saved by the buzzer and held off the relentless Harper and her teammates for a 10-6 win.

Italy’s 7A Girls team is getting a ton of experience while having fun playing the game. Hannah Washington and Halee Turner handle the dribbling duties while forwards Julissa Hernandez, Leandrea Holbert, Jozie Perkins and Ashlyn Jacinto crash the boards.

Italy’s Cassidy Childers got her team on the board when she maneuvered around an Axtell defender and pulled up for a twelve foot jump shot that swished in from the right wing. Coach Tina Richards has the girls playing hard all four quarters and that’s what the fans love to see.

Italy’s 8B Girls team
With Bailey DeBorde as the floor general Alex Minton handling the point, Italy’s 8B Girls Team had little problems handling Axtell. Italy’s Janae Robertson, Lillie Perry, Tylar Wilson and Minton are not afraid to fire the shots while Kierra Wilson, Ana Luna and DeBorde rebound and create turnovers. In fact, Italy’s 8B team accounted for the only win against Axtell on Monday.

Italy’s 8A Girls team had something to prove against Axtell. Axtell won the first meeting between the two easily but things were about to get interesting. In the first quarter, Jaclynn Lewis scored a basket inside and went 3-of-4 from the foul line.

Point Guard Tara Wallis added a score after her initial jumper hit the rim and careened back to her for an easy put back. Italy lead 7-2 going into the second quarter.

Axtell controlled the second quarter and pulled within 1-point, 7-6. Both sides put up shots but none would fall during the remaining 1:30. The halftime score remained 7-6….game on!

With Italy up 9-6 in the third, Wallis pulled up for a baseline jumper that dropped in to put Italy up 11-6. An Axtell fast break basket and an inbound steal and lay in kept the game close 11-10.

Axtell intercepts another inbound pass and goes up 12-11 with 0:15 left in the third and the quarter eventually ends.

Italy’s Madison Washington records a block early in the fourth but Axtell scores first and leads 14-11. Kelsey Nelson finds Washington inside who is fouled on the shot attempt. The freebies wont fall and the score remains 14-11. Axtell goes up 16-11 but Italy’s Kortnei Johnson races down court and finishes the fast break, 16-13 Axtell leads.

Lewis inbounds to Wallis who swishes a 3-pointer to tie the match for the second time, 16-16 with 2:45 remaining in regulation. Wallis would later hit 1-of-2 from the foul line to give Italy the lead 17-16. Axtell responds with a bucket inside to go up 18-17 with 0:34 remaining.

Johnson is fouled shooting at the opposite end and makes the second of two free throws to tie the game once more, 18-18. Johnson steals an Axtell pass but is unable to get points for Italy, 0:19 left in the game.

On Axtell’s next possession, Wallis deflects a defensive rebound to Bailey Eubank who quickly gets the ball back to Wallis. Wallis attempts a jumper that ricocheted off the rim and out-of-bounds, 0:11 remain.

Axtell gets fouled inside and hits the first from the stripe but misses the second. With Axtell now up 19-18 , Johnson quickly heads toward the basket and draws a shooting foul with just 0:4.9 seconds left on the clock. Adding to the suspense, Johnson misses her first free-trow attempt but collects herself and hits the second shot to the game, 19-all.

Johnson steels the ensuing inbound pass by Axtell but her shot rolls off and both teams must decide the ending in overtime.

Johnson puts Italy up to start the overtime period with a fast break layup, 21-19. Axtell manages to tie however, 21-21. Wallis swishes two free throws for Italy, 23-21. Axtell hits a runner to tie, 23-23. Moments later, Axtell makes a nice pass to the backside block for an open look and the lead, 25-23.

Axtell scores again to take a 27-23 advantage. Lewis grabs an offensive rebound and is fouled shooting. Unable to connect on the bonus shots, Axtell continues to lead, 27-23, with 1:12 remaining in overtime.

At the 0:53 mark, Italy’s Nelson gets fouled shooting and makes the second of two free-throws, 27-24 with Axtell still in front. Axtell adds 1-of-2 free-throws to make the score 28-24. Johnson earns a trip to the foul line but neither shot attempt will fall. Axtell turns the ball over and Wallis nails a jumper to tighten the deficit, 28-26 with 0:14 remaining.

Axtell misses a pair of free-throws and Wallis’s desperation shot to tie falls short. Axtell finds a way and wins the thrilling overtime game 28-26.