Varsity Action:
Itasca — The Italy Gladiators (2-1), fueled by an 18-point effort from guard Caden Jacinto, the attacking abilities of point guard Marvin Cox, rebounding machine Ryheem Walker and three third-quarter 3-pointers from 6’,8" Cole Hopkins, helped Italy put together a decisive victory over the Itasca Wampus Cats Friday on the road.

Walker scored inside to give Italy the early 2-0 edge. Marvin Cox dropped in an open look at a 3-pointer to push the Gladiators’ lead to 5-0. Itasca responds to tighten the deficit 5-4. Walker misfires on a reverse layup and then Italy is unable to capitalize upon drawing a shooting foul during a 3-point attempt. The Cats were unable to cash in on Italy’s misfortunes allowing Jacinto to distance Italy with a money 3-pointer to make the score 8-4 with 3:33 to play in the opening quarter. A block by Hopkins forces Itasca to call a timeout and regroup.

The Cats nearly create a turnover but Kelvin Joffre secures the ball and knocks down a jumper in the lane, 10-4 Italy. Walker steals the ball but no points are generated on the other end. Walker then secures a loose ball and passes it ahead to Jacinto who finishes the fast break, 12-5 Italy. Itasca scores back-to-back hoops to shrink the margin 12-9. After an Italy turnover, Itasca’s buzzer-beating attempt fails allowing Italy to maintain their 12-9 advantage after one quarter of play.

With Italy up 16-13 in the third, Cox knocks down his second 3-pointer of the game to give the Gladiators a 19-13 lead. Hopkins records another block but Italy misses a pair of foul shots on the offensive end. However, on the second missed free-throw, a crafty move by Cox on the left block results in 2-points for Italy with Cox making the bank shot. Italy leads 21-13 with 2:36 remaining in the first half.

After 5-straight points by the Cats, Joffre dribbles into the lane to draw the defense. With Cat defenders converging, Joffre passes the ball over to Cox who drains the outside jumper, 23-17 Italy. Itasca put in one free-throw before the end of the quarter but the Gladiators lead 23-18 going into the break.

With the Gladiators up 25-18 after the start of the third-quarter, Hopkins swishes in a 3-pointer to give Italy a 28-18 lead. Walker finds a cutting Zain Byers down the middle of the lane for a basket and-1, 30-18 Italy. The free-throw attempt by Byers is off the back of the rim but moments later, Hopkins hits his second 3-pointer of the game to make the score 33-21 in Italy’s favor. Hopkins continues to pour it on as the senior drops in his third straight three-ball. Italy leads 36-21 as Hopkins gives Italy their biggest lead of the game.

The Wampus Cats show heart and put together an 11-0 run as the third-quarter comes to a close with Italy still in front 36-32.

Jacinto heats up early in the fourth-quarter by knocking down a 3-pointer and then by dropping in a baseline floater to make the score 41-32. Darol Mayberry, a junior, gives an assist to Cox who cuts to the basket to make the score 43-32. With Itasca threatening a comeback after consecutive baskets, Jacinto drops in another 3-pointer to give Italy a 46-36 lead with 3:20 to play. Itasca adds a free shot but that’s it with Hopkins trying to block every shot. The Gladiators get an open layup to make the score 48-37. Hopkins then grabs a loose ball and fires downcourt to Jacinto who is fouled hard going to the basket. Jacinto goes 1-of-2 from the stripe to make the score 49-36, 1:48 remaining.

With Joffre out after being sidelined with a knee injury in the third quarter, Tyler Anderson replaces Cox who fouls out. Seconds later, Hopkins fouls out as well after a controversial foul call with 1:33 still to play and Itasca showing no signs of giving up. Anderson is fouled quickly after receiving the inbound pass and confidently steps to the line to swish in both freebies, 51-39 Italy, setting the tone for the game’s big finale. With Cox and Hopkins both sitting, Itasca scores easily to get within 10-points of Italy, 51-41. Mayberry is fouled next and, as did Anderson, drops in both foul shots for the Gladiators, 1:01 remaining.

Jacinto is then fouled and splits a pair free shots to make the score 55-41 with 0:33 to play. Mayberry is sent to the line again where he makes the Wampus Cats pay by hitting 1-of-2 freebies, 55-41 Italy. Byers tries to draw a charge but is called for the blocking foul as Itasca’s shot drops down thru the net. The and-1 try counts also to make the score 55-44. Jacinto adds another free-throw and Itasca scores one last basket but the comeback fails as Italy secures the district road win 56-46.

JV Action:
The JV Gladiators, head coached by Larry Mayberry, Sr., left no doubt in Itasca. An aerial rebound and put back by Mason Womack followed by back-to-back buckets from teammate Ty Windham, who scored from the right side of the floor and then swished in a jumper from the left wing, helped give Italy’s JV Gladiators a commanding 22-11 lead at halftime.

It was all Italy in the third-quarter as well with point guard John Escamilla masterfully handling Itasca’s press defense to push the ball up the court. A Gladiator flurry which included baskets by Levi McBride early in the stanza, scores by Windham and Escamilla midway thru and then with Cody Boyd cleaning up the boards, extended Italy’s lead from 10-points to a 34-point advantage. Italy led 51-17 by quarter’s end.

A jumper from Clayton Miller made the score 53-19 followed by a score form teammate Jorge Galvan to put Italy up 55-19. Moments later, Brandon Connor banked in a shot from the right elbow to make the count 57-21. Itasca countered with a prayer of a 3-pointer to round out the scoring 59-24 as Miller’s final shot attempt to beat the buzzer was off the mark.

Go Italy!