Gladiators take it on the chin from Gateway, JV Boys avenge loss to Itasca
Darol Mayberry(13) maneuvers under the basket to flip up a shot for the Gladiators. Italy was playing an uphill battle against Dallas Gateway who won the matchup, 89-54, to take control of the district’s top spot. (Barry Byers)
Italy — The Dallas Gateway Gators knocked the Italy Gladiators off their undefeated-in-district perch to take sole control of top spot. Gateway is the only team in the district with an unblemished, 4-0, district record with Italy dropping to 3-1 after falling to the Gators, 89-54, Friday night inside the Coliseum.
The Gators left no doubt after leaving Italy behind early. The Gladiators trailed, 24-14, to end the first-period and then trailed 54-28 by halftime. The fast-paced game favored Gateway with Italy forced to move faster than they are accustomed. Gateway’s speed on defense hampered Italy’s ability to get the ball inside as the steals and turnovers quickly mounted up against the Gladiators.
The lone offensive bright spot for Italy was senior Trevon Robertson who managed 31-points by game’s end. The game’s high scorer was Gateway’s Malik Woods, who put in 33-points total. Robertson dropped in four 3-pointers, three in the third-period alone. Woods countered with five 3-pointers, four in the second-period. Italy continued to trail, 78-42, going into the final stanza.
Senior Gladiator, TaMarcus Sheppard scored 7-points. Darol Mayberry, also a senior, scored 5-points and senior center Zain Byers scored 5-points for the cause.
Cody Boyd and Kevin Johnson each scored a 2-point basket in the second and senior Tyler Anderson went 2-of-2 from the free-throw line in the fourth. With the final buzzer signaling the end, Gateway had done the job for the 89-54 district win.
JV Action:
The JV Gladiator boys faired better in their outing against visiting Itasca. Guard, Eric Carson got help from wingman James Walton who scored 6-points, while power forward Kenneth Norwood, Jr., scored 7-points.
Italy also had help from inbound specialist Jacob Brooks, post player Michael Hughes, “Mr. Hustle,” Hunter Ballard and Dylan McCasland, who always brings his best effort when competing.
The Gladiators led, 20-14, at halftime and then held on for the win, 31-24. Carson’s led the JV Gladiators in scoring with 8-points, including one 3-pointer during the third-period. Center, David De La Hoya finished with 4-points and Tristen Cotten went 1-of-4 from the line while playing one of his best games of the season.