Italy JH girls split wins with Rice, Cunningham scores 25 in finale
In the 7th grade girls game versus Venus, Tatum Adams(31) concentrates while trying her luck from the line. (Barry Byers)
Italy — The girls 7th grade game between Italy and Venus was exciting, loud and intense. Trailing Venus throughout, Hannah Haight led Italy’s second-half comeback effort with 5-points. Tatum Adams heated up late to finish with 4-points, Karley Nelson scored 2-points and Madison Galvan added 2-points.
Though Italy poured it on late with point guard Karson Holley finding a groove running the offense, Venus held on for the 18-13 win.
8th grade game vs. Rice:
Emmy Cunningham led Italy’s talented 8th grade squad with 25-points including 2 consecutive swishing 3-pointers to end the first-half. Italy’s point guard Brycelen Richards added 10-points while post player Charisma Anderson generated 10-points from around the lane.
Noeli Garcia could never find a rhythm in this one but helped out on the defensive end along with Jenna Holden and Sydney Weeks to keep the Rice offense in check.
To the delight of Italy’s fans inside the Coliseum, Cunningham finished the second-half with a high-arcing 3-point farewell to Rice, making the final score 45-16.