Italy’s JV Gladiators finish with a win to claim district championship

Barry Byers Posted February 21, 2012 6:00pm Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: Italy’s John Escamilla(3) pesters a Maypearl dribbler. — Italy’s John Escamilla(3) pesters a Maypearl dribbler. (Barry Byers)

Congratulations to the Italy JV Gladiators, head coached by Josh Ward and assisted by Larry Mayberry, Sr., on their sensational season finishing with a 12-2 record and the district championship title.

The Gladiators won their final game against the Axtell JV Longhorns to seal the deal in a blowout victory, edging out the Grandview JV Zebras in the district race who lost to Clifton in their final game.

The 2011-2012 Italy JV Gladiator Roster:

Player	Jersey
Marvin Cox	1
John Escamilla	3
Tyvion Copeland	4
Zain Byers	5
Cody Boyd	10
Tyler Anderson	11
Chace McGinnis	12
Darol Mayberry	13
Bailey Walton	15
John “Squirt” Hughes	20
Kevin Roldan	21
John Byers	33

Special thanks to scorekeeper Misty Escamilla and managers Reagan Adams and Gary Escamilla.

Congrats JV Boys!

Italy’s Cody Boyd(10) attacks the Panthers. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Chace McGinnis(12) scores in traffic against Maypearl’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Marvin Cox(1) floats in for a layup. (Barry Byers)

John Escamilla(3) was hot like a branding iron against the Panther defense. (Barry Byers)

Point guard Marvin Cox(1) helps to lead Italy’s JV Gladiators to a district championship. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Tyvion Copeland(4) completes the fast break against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Darol Mayberry(13) moves in for a score thru Maypearl’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s John Escamilla(3) banks in a layup against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Play of the game! When it appeared Maypearl had the sure rebound on the defensive board, Italy’s Chace McGinnis(12) splits the Panthers to snag the rebound, score the basket, draw a shooting foul and then steps to the free-throw line and knocks down the freebie to complete the three-point play. (Barry Byers)

Darol Mayberry(13) proved to be a shooting ace beyond the arc for Italy’s JV this season. (Barry Byers)

John “Squirt” Hughes(20) makes a move on the low block against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Cody Boyd is all focus during a pre-game practice free-throw. (Barry Byers)

John Byers(33) banks in a 10-footer over Axtell’s tight zone defense. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Marvin Cox(1) has no fear from beyond the arc. (Barry Byers)

Going for the slam during Italy’s JV game against Axtell is Tyvion Copeland(4). (Barry Byers)

Kevin Roldan(21) swishes Italy’s 65th point against Axtell from the free-throw line. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Tyler Anderson(11) slices into the lane against Grandview. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Marvin Cox(1) makes something happen against Grandview’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Tyler Anderson(11) scores inside the lane despite being surrounded by Zebra defenders. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Bailey Walton(14) pulls up for 2-points. (Barry Byers)

Zain Byers(5) crashes the offensive boards for Italy. (Barry Byers)

The 2011-2012 Italy JV Gladiators band together to seal the district championship. (Backrow L to R) Tyler Anderson, Cody Boyd, John Hughes, John Escamilla, John Byers, Kevin Roldan, Zain Byers, Chace McGinnis, Bailey Walton an Darol Mayberry. (Bottom row) Marvin Cox and Tyvion Copeland. (Barry Byers)