Italy hoop stars receive all-district honors; Hopkins and Cox earn superlatives

Barry Byers Posted March 25, 2013 6:00pm Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: Earning the District 14 1A-1 superlative of 2013 Defensive Player of the Year is Italy Gladiator senior Cole Hopkins(21). Perhaps best remembered for his 25 point, 17 rebounds and 12 blocks against eventual state champion Triple-A Academy as Hopkins stole the show against the Stallions on their home floor. — Earning the District 14 1A-1 superlative of ***2013 Defensive Player of the Year*** is Italy Gladiator senior Cole Hopkins(21). Perhaps best remembered for his 25 point, 17 rebounds and 12 blocks against eventual state champion Triple-A Academy as Hopkins stole the show against the Stallions on their home floor. (Barry Byers)

The 2013 Italy Gladiators survived a tough district to be District 14 1A-1 Runner-ups behind the eventual state champion Triple-A Academy Stallions out of Dallas. First-year head coach, Brian Coffman, and his team had to play catchup during the season after their lengthy run into the football playoffs put them behind in the game’s played category.

The Gladiators’ only district losses were to Triple-A but, for the second-year in a row, Italy hit a wall in the first-round of the playoffs and were forced to take an early exit after losing to Collinsville. Injuries to Cole Hopkins, Kelvin Joffre and Tyler Anderson severely hindered Italy’s cause allowing Collinsville to pull away in the second half. Italy finished the 2013 season as bi-district finalists.

However, with Italy being one of the district’s strongest teams, several Gladiators received all-district recognition with senior 6’8" center Cole Hopkins earning Defensive Player of the Year and senior guard Marvin Cox earning Newcomer of the Year to top the list of Italy’s honorees:

District 14 1A-1 Superlatives:

M.V.P.: King McClure, Soph., Triple-A

Offensive Player of the Year: Jeremiah Jefferson, Jr., Triple-A

Defensive Player of the Year: Cole Hopkins, Sr., Italy

Newcomer of the Year: Marvin Cox, Sr., Italy

6th Man of the Year: Dalyn Mumphrey, Soph., Triple-A

Coach of the Year: Tim Singleton from Triple A and Mark Smith from Itasca

1st Team All District:

Harrison Henderson, Fr., Triple-A
Tyler Singleton, Soph., Triple-A
Gary Breaux, Jr., Triple-A
Ryheem Walker, Sr., Italy
Brandon Farquhar, Itasca
Ashton Campbell, Sr., Itasca
Robert Overstreet, Sr., Dallas Gateway
Charvis Owens, Soph., Grand Prairie Advantage

2nd Team All-District:

Cameron Cooks, Jr., Triple-A
Frank Holis, Jr., Triple-A
Caden Jacinto, Sr., Italy
Kelvin Joffre, Sr., Italy
Cole Coleman, Itasca
Devonte Williams, Sr., Dallas Gateway
Malik Woods, Jr., Dallas Gateway
Aragonez, Arlington Summitt

District 14 1A-1 Academic All-District:

Reid Jacinto, Sr., Italy

Honorable Mention All-District:

John Hughes, Sr., Italy
Tyler Anderson, Jr., Italy
Zain Byers, Jr., Italy
Darol Mayberry, Jr., Italy
Cody Boyd, Soph., Italy

Congratulations to all the players, and particularly our seniors, for always playing with class no matter what challenges greeted them throughout the season.

Go Italy!

Marvin Cox(3) earned the 2013 Newcomer of the Year superlative in District 14 1A-1 as point guard for the Italy Gladiators. Cox could both get to the rim and knock down triples making him a tough cover on the court. Cox helped lead Italy to a district runner-up finish and bi-distrcit finalists in the playoffs. (Barry Byers / Maddie Pittman)

Marvin Cox(3) leads the fast break with teammate Cole Hopkins(21) trailing the play during bi-district playoff action against Collinsville. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) pulls up for a triple against Collinsville. (Barry Byers)

Ryheem Walker(10) takes a baseline jumper with Zain Byers(22) going in for the rebound. (Barry Byers)

Pulling up from the outside is Gladiator Cole Hopkins(21). (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) is a man amongst boys when he rises to shoot. (Barry Byers)

Senior Gladiator Cole Hopkins(21) is a precision shooter from the foul line. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Reid Jacinto(5), a senior, lets a 3-pointer fly from the right corner against Collinsville. (Barry Byers)

Senior Gladiator Caden Jacinto(2) was hot from the 3-point line against Collinsville early. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Zain Byers(22) attempts a 3-pointer for Italy during the bi-district matchup against Collinsville. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Marvin Cox(3) pulls up in the lane for a shot attempt against Collinsville. (Barry Byers)

Darol Mayberry(13) maneuvers inside for a score with Kevin Roldan(33) and Cole Hopkins(21) in position to rebound. (Barry Byers)

Despite injuries, Gladiators Tyler Anderson and Kelvin Joffre find a way to help their teammates. (Barry Byers)

Marvin Cox(3) rises in traffic with Cole Hopkins(21) ready to rebound. Unfortunately, Italy’s 2013 state champion basketball goal ended at Richardson High School with Collinsville getting the bi-district win. (Barry Byers)