Italy’s Junior High basketball boys get season started at home against Mildred

Barry Byers Posted November 20, 2013 5:00pm Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(5) challenges a Mildred shooter during the 8th grade’s season opening matchup inside Italy Coliseum Monday night. — Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(5) challenges a Mildred shooter during the 8th grade’s season opening matchup inside Italy Coliseum Monday night. (Barry Byers)

Italy — The Italy Junior High boys opened their basketball seasons against the visiting Mildred Eagles on Monday with coach Wayne Rowe in charge of the 8th grade squad while Coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., guided the 7th grade A-team and B-team.

Italy’s 7B-team got the ball bouncing against Eagles and led 10-2 at halftime thanks to a game high 6-points from Chris Munos and one bucket each from Adam Powell and Andrew Oldfied. That was all the scoring Italy could muster but they held on for the win, 10-4.

Italy 7B-team Roster:

#1 – Jaylon Lusk
#4 – Garrett Cash
#13 – Andrew Oldfield
#22 – Adam Powell
#33 – Jacob Wiser
#44 – Chris Munos

Italy’s 7A-team took an early 5-2 lead after back-to-back layups from guard Marcos Duarte. Italy then fell behind 8-5 but not for long thanks to a 3-point dagger from Cade Brewer to tie Mildred 8-8. The Eagles did manage to carry a 10-8 lead into intermission.

Duarte added a 3-pointer in third to finish with 7-points with teammates Brewer and Rodriguez who both finished with 3-points each. Jonathan Salas and Alex Garcia each added a basket but Mildred’s 2-point lead at halftime time held up for a 19-17 Eagle win.

Italy 7A-team Roster:

#14 – Marcos Duarte
#15 – Cade Brewer
#21 – Cade. Roberts
#32 – Isaac. Garcia
#35 – Jonathan Salas
#44 – Alex Garcia
#50 – Mario Rodriguez

The win/loss tie breaker between the schools would have to be decided in the final game of the night. Italy’s 8th grade squad offense was steered by point guard Tylan Wallace and two-guard Kendrick Norwood with the duo leading Italy from behind to take a 17-15 edge late late in the contest.

With the matchup growing in intensity and with Mildred back in the lead, Italy’s Garrett Janek took a deliberate elbow to the face after a defensive rebound was secured by the Eagles. The Mildred player was ejected and Janek was forced to the bench to towel his injuries. Mildred forced Italy to miss from long distance and pulled away in the final seconds for the 33-26 win.

Playing well for Italy inside was Clay Riddle, Kyle Tindol, Adam Powell and Anthony Lusk while Gary Escamilla and Cade Roberts added valuable minutes.

Italy 8th Grade Roster:

#2 – Tylan Wallace
#3 – Gary Escamilla
#5 – Kendrick Norwood
#11 – Ty Hamilton
#12 – Garrett Janek
#20 – Cade Roberts
#23 – Adam Powell
#25 – Kyle Tindol
#30 – Clay Riddle

Go Italy Junior High!

Kyle Tindol(25) tries his luck at a free-throw. (Barry Byers)

8th grader Tylan Wallace(2) swishes in a free shot for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Italy 8th grader Clay Riddle(30) gets big inside to ward off a Mildred shooter. (Barry Byers)

Italy 8th grader Kendrick Norwood(5) rises for a 3-point attempt. (Barry Byers)

8th grade head coach Wayne Rowe talks with his players with the game on the line. (Barry Byers)

Tylan Wallace(2) tries to keep Italy in the game. (Barry Byers)

Italy 8th grader Garrett Janek(12) takes a viscous and deliberate elbow and then gets shoved to the ground. The Mildred player was ejected from the game. (Barry Byers)