The Italy Gladiators varsity boys basketball team, head coached by Aidan Callahan and assisted by Larry Mayberry, Sr. and Josh Ward, have shot, passed and bank shotted their way to a 8-4 record during the preseason with their most recent victim being the Rice Bulldogs.

Coach Callahan has been relying on senior point guard Jase Holden to push the tempo while Italy’s bigs, Cole Hopkins, Larry Mayberry, Jr., Devonta Simmons and Ryheem Walker crash the boards collecting rebounds and put backs.

Sophomore Trevon Robertson has been a pleasant surprise for Callahan with Robertson already establishing himself as a major contributor to Italy’s success. With the ability to shoot from beyond the arc, Robertson is joins cousins Caden Jacinto and Reid Jacinto representing Italy’s three-point threats.

At 6’,5", Simmons has demonstrated the ability to be a finisher on the fast break, along with Holden and Robertson, as the Gladiators appear to have shaken off the rust on their armor and are primed to elevate their game.

Walker and Jalarnce Lewis have been providing valuable minutes off the bench and with the speedy Lewis proving to be a menace on defense along with recently added Eric Carson. Carson, a sophomore, has been the starting JV point guard but has already made Italy’s potent defensive attack more effective with the Gladiators outscoring Rice 20-0 in the first quarter as the Bulldogs crumbled under Italy’s defensive pressure.

Mayberry, at 6’,4", has had a successful preseason on the offensive end, unstoppable at times while 6’,8" Hopkins has been a primary defender under the basket using outlet passes to ignite Italy’s fast break.

At times, Callahan has resembled a skilled mechanic using his clipboard as a toolbox. Changing out a part here, adjusting the rotation there, all in an effort to fine-tune his Gladiator attack.

Italy will host district games against Whitney tonight at the Dome with the JV girls tipping the night’s action off at 5:00 p.m. The 8-7,1-1 Lady Gladiators will follow around 6:15 p.m. and then the Gladiators take on the Wildcats at 7:30 p.m. Italy’s JV boys will play in the old gym starting at 5:00 p.m.

Included are random pictures covering several games thus far.

Click here for more pictures.

2011-2012 Italy Gladiator Roster:

Go Gladiators!