Gladiators play three games over three days in Hubbard, winning 1-out of-3
Italy squares off against Rappaport in round-one of the Hubbard basketball tournament with senior Trevon Robertson(2) getting the action started for Gladiators. (Barry Byers)
Hubbard — Thursday thru Saturday, the Italy Gladiators (2-3) participated in three games during the Hubbard hosted basketball tournament. Though nets hung at each end of the gymnasium, Italy had just one goal in mind, improve. Head coach, Brandon Ganske, with assistant coaches, Larry Mayberry, Sr., and Jon Cady, watched their court soldiers improve a little more each round particularly in game two vs Bynum where Italy better executed their half-court offensive while mixing several fast break buckets.
Italy’s first outing was a rough one with Rappaport outmatching the Gladiators up and down the floor. Desperation three-pointers, 9 during the first-quarter alone, put the Gladiators in 27-15 hole. Despite a strong offensive game from senior Bailey Walton and a hustling effort from Kevin Johnson who displays tremendous court awareness for a freshman, Rappaport distanced themselves in the second-half for a 70-45 win.
The Gladiators emerged victorious on Friday by completely overwhelming the Bynum Bulldogs. Senior forward Trevon Robertson was hot early and began the game with consecutive three-pointers to help Italy jump out to an 11-3 advantage.
Sophomore Ty Windham with 11-points and junior Tyler Vencill with 6-points had big games for the Gladiators as did Johnson who continued to impress with 4-points. Senior Darol Mayberry dropped in a three-ball in the third and finished the game with 5-points. Robertson added his third 3-pointer in third period, as well, to help the Gladiators build a commanding 66-25 lead after three.
Robertson ultimately led the Gladiators with a career high 32-points as Italy rolled to an 81-30 win.
In the third game played on Saturday, Italy was knotted with Centerville 14-14 at the end of one but it was all Centerville the rest of the way as the Tigers handed the Gladiators their second loss of the tournament. There were a few of positives to take from the game for Italy, the inside guys including Walton, Zain Byers, Cody Boyd and Kevin Roldan were active on the boards and put good shots up while Ryan Connor continued attacking the rim. Connor’s ability to get into the lane could prove to be a valuable asset to the Gladiators as the team moves forward.
Italy also played with a certain energy in the first period that Coach Ganske will no doubt try to encourage his players to maintain.