West — Head coach Brian Coffman and his Class A Italy Gladiators played away against the Class 3A West Trojans this past Friday night in what proved to be a more of a learning experience for Italy with West building an early lead and maintaining the lead throughout.

Italy managed just 3-points in the opening quarter with Cole Hopkins scoring the lone bucket for the Gladiators and Eric Carson putting in 1-out-of-1 from the stripe. West, however, faired much better to lead 14-3 at the end of the first.

The pace of the game picked up in the second-quarter for both sides. Ryheem Walker, Tyler Anderson, Kelvin Joffre and Hopkins each scored a basket for Italy during the frame with Carson swishing a buzzer beating 3-pointer from the midway point between the top of the key and half-court. Carson scored a total of 6-points in the second but West still managed to increased their advantage to lead 34-17 going into the break.

With Hopkins, a dominating presence in the middle on defense, challenging shots and recording blocks, point guard Marvin Cox works on breaking down the defense with West settling into a zone. A few minutes into the third-quarter, a jumper by Hopkins makes the score 36-23. West then scores 7-straight points before a maneuver into the lane by Cox makes the score 43-25.

During the halftime break, West was charged with a technical foul during their warmups. Hopkins puts in both technicals to give Italy some momentum despite trailing 43-27. Moments later, Italy misses the first of a two-shot foul but rebounds the miss. Joffre passes to Walker who gives to Hopkins who draws another shooting foul. Hopkins makes the pair of freebies to make the score 43-27 with 4:18 to play in the third. West answers with a 3-pointer and a basket before Joffre splits a couple of free shots to make the score 48-28. West reaches the fifty mark but a pass from Carson to Hopkins, setup at the left elbow, results in a made jumper by the 6’8" senior to close the third-quarter with West still maintaing a comfortable lead, 50-30.

In the fourth, West scores first but Cox responds with a three-ball, 52-33 with 6:35 remaining. Hopkins makes a nice block from behind on a West shooter but Italy is unable to convert the turnover into points. West goes up 58-35 prompting Carson to drop in a 3-pointer for Italy to make the score 58-38 with 3:25 to play.

Hopkins is fouled during a 3-point attempt and knocks down the first of three free shots to make the score 58-39, 2:42 left. Cox penetrates the lane for an Italy basket, 60-41 with 1:32 and ticking. A 3-point attempt by Reid Jacinto is off the mark but a Cox rebound results in a Hopkins jumper with :15 seconds to go. West adds one last free-throw to wrap up their win 61-44.

The shot challenging ability of Hopkins around the defensive rim will be a real weapon for Coach Coffman. Coupled with his shooting range, Hopkins, a senior, is on pace to have a great 2013 season. Carson is off to a fast start as well displaying his playmaking skills throughout the contest against West. Walker brings high energy, plays tenacious “D” and thrives on rebounds. Caden Jacinto can be explosive on offense and has improved his on-the-ball defense. Joffre, Tyler Anderson and Reid Jacinto help fill voids on both sides of the ball whether its setting screens, closing-out on shooters or propelling the fast-break.

Chase Hamilton, Bailey Walton and Darol Mayberry also put in time on the court against West while John “Squirt” Hughes adds height to a Gladiator squad that is, overall, a few inches shorter than they have been in recent seasons. The secret to Italy’s overall success in 2013 could be the performance of Cox at the 1 spot. If Cox can control the tempo, breakdown defenses while in a half-court set and finish his drives to the basket, the Gladiators could very well return to the playoffs.

Go Italy!