Italy’s Junior High boys show court skills during tournament action
Chace McGinnis(32) helps Italy Gold win over Venus — Italy 8th Grader Chace McGinnis(32) goes up for 2-points against Venus during the Italy Junior High Basketball Tournament held at the dome on Saturday. Italy Gold defeated Mildred in round one but lost to Venus in round two, 39-26. (Barry Byers)
Italy White – Round 1 vs. Mildred:
Italy — Italy White challenged the Mildred Eagles during the Italy Junior High Basketball Tournament with the Eagles taking an early 13-0 lead after the first-quarter.
Italy’s Jaray Anderson tried to rally his team in the second-quarter by scoring 8-points, including two 3-pointers. Mason Womack scored a basket for Italy White as well but Mildred still led at halftime, 23-10.
Levi McBride and Jordan Lemire both scored a bucket in the third but Mildred continued to lead 38-14 going into the final quarter. In the fourth, Italy’s Tony Wilson knocked down a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer but the Eagles were flying high and eventually won 47-19.
Italy Gold – Round 1 vs. Mildred:
Ty Windham accounted for Italy’s only points in the opening quarter by scoring a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer but the Mildred Eagles led 9-5 heading into the second. Windham added a free-throw, John Escamilla did as well and John Byers scored a basket plus two free-throws but the Eagles held their lead at the break, 13-11.
Italy Gold got the hot hand in the third with Windham and Cody Boyd scoring from the field and Escamilla drilling a 3-pointer to give Italy an 18-16 lead going into the final quarter. Boyd made two at the line as did Ryan Connor. Escamilla put in another and Chase McGinnis was good on two free-throw attempts to help Italy Gold outpoint Mildred 25-23 by games end.
Italy White – Round 2 vs. Venus:
Levi McBride and Jaray Anderson both scored baskets and Tony Wilson scored 4-points to give Italy an 8-4 advantage after one-quarter of play. Italy’s defense held Venus scoreless in the second-quarter while scoring 7-points total in the period. McBride and Anderson both scored baskets and Mason Womack added a free-throw and a 2-point basket of his own to give Italy White a 15-4 lead at intermission.
In the third-quarter, Wilson scored 6-points on three buckets and Anderson put in another basket. McBride swished a 3-pointer and Italy White led 26-10 after three. It was all Venus in the fourth as the Bulldogs scored 4-points but it was just not enough and Italy White won big, 26-14.
Italy Gold – Round 2 vs. Venus:
John Escamilla scored Italy Gold’s only points in the opening quarter by making two baskets. Venus took advantage and led 11-4 going into the second-quarter.
Escamilla added a pair of free-throws in the second and Cody Boyd scored twice from the floor but Venus continued to lead at intermission, 15-10.
Ryan Connor scored for Italy Gold in the third and Escamilla put in two more free-throws. John Byers scored a 2-point basket and 3-pointer but Venus had a 15-point quarter and led 30-19 as the game moved into final minutes.
Chase McGinnis recorded a free-throw and Escamilla put in two more foul shots as well. McGinnis scored a layup but Venus refused to relinquish their lead and won 39-26 over Italy Gold.
By the end of the tournament, the field of four including Italy Gold, Italy White, Venus and Mildred, had each won one game and lost one game.