Italy hosts Junior High girls and boys basketball tournament

Barry Byers Posted January 28, 2015 2:15pm Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: Congratulations to the Italy Junior High 8th grade boys basketball team who won their host tournament after wins over Rice and Blooming Grove. The Champs (L-R): Head Coach Jon Cady, Garrett Cash(3), Marcos Duarte(1), Adam Powell(24), Alex Garcia(35), Jonathan Salas(22), Aaron Franco (23), Brentlee Grant(10), Mickey South(44), Joseph Vuittonet (20), Cason Roberts(25) and Jacob Wiser(33). — Congratulations to the Italy Junior High 8th grade boys basketball team who won their host tournament after wins over Rice and Blooming Grove. The Champs (L-R): Head Coach Jon Cady, Garrett Cash(3), Marcos Duarte(1), Adam Powell(24), Alex Garcia(35), Jonathan Salas(22), Aaron Franco (23), Brentlee Grant(10), Mickey South(44), Joseph Vuittonet (20), Cason Roberts(25) and Jacob Wiser(33). (Barry Byers)

Italy — Congratulations to the Italy Junior High 8th grade boys basketball team who won their Italy hosted tournament after wins over Rice and Blooming Grove. Italy’s boys were head coached by Jon Cady.

Jonathan Salas led Italy’s 8th grade with 8-points in their first round win over Rice, 37-9.

Alex Garcia led Italy’s 8th grade with 12-points in the championship finale against Blooming Grove with Italy winning 33-22.

The Junior High Girls also competed in the tournament with Italy A and Italy B squaring off against each other during the tournament. It was an excellent chance for Italy fans to catch a glimpse of what might lie ahead for the future of the Lady Gladiators basketball program. And the future looks good indeed!

Italy’s Junior High 7th grade boys competed in the tournament as well and showed of their basketball court skills for the hometown crowd. Also coached by Cady, the 7th graders are stacked with plenty of height and solid ball handlers.

Go Italy Junior High!

Italy 8th grader Aaron Franco (23) gets up a shot after driving into the lane. (Barry Byers)

Italy 8th grader Marcos Duarte(1) styles in for layup attempt. (Barry Byers)

Italy 8th grader Alex Garcia(35) shoots over a Blooming Grove defender in the tournament championship game. (Barry Byers)

Adam Powell(24) pushes the ball up the court for Italy’s 8th grade. (Barry Byers)

Italy 8th grader Mikey South(44) tries to shoot over a Lion defender. (Barry Byers)

Brentlee Grant(10) takes it to the hole for the Italy 8th grade team against Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

Not in our lane! Garrett Cash(3), Mickey South(44) and Jonathan Salas(22) deny a Lion shooter access to an easy bucket. (Barry Byers)

Italy A team’s Taylor Boyd(5) brings the ball down the floor as teammate Karson Holley(2) fills the wing. (Barry Byers)

Italy B guard Aliyah Turner(13) dribbles around Italy A defender Taylor Boyd (15). (Barry Byers)

Karson Holley(2) knocks down a jumper for the Italy A team. (Barry Byers)

Italy A team steals the ball. (Barry Byers)

Italy A team’s Hannah Haight(11) is fouled on the way up to the basket. (Barry Byers)

Neat trick! No strings attached! (Barry Byers)

Madison Galvan(4) hurries the ball up the court for the Italy A girls team. (Barry Byers)

Lana Beets(11) gets an open look under the basket for the Italy A team. (Barry Byers)

One Team! Both the Italy A and Italy B teams unite after competing against each other in tournament play. (Barry Byers)

Italy 7th grader and point guard Jesus Enriquez(13) stops and pulls up for a shot attempt with teammate Tanner Chambers(14) filling the lane. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Hunter Hinz(40) goes up for a basket against the Blooming Grove Lions. (Barry Byers)

Italy 7th grader Tanner Chambers(14) displays excellent 1-on-1 defense to turn back the Lions and their fast break attempt. (Barry Byers)

Italy 7th grader Ryan Dabney(4) takes a shot from the low block. (Barry Byers)

Tanner Chambers(14) passes over three Lion defenders to an open teammate. (Barry Byers)

Italy 7th grader Matthew Monreal(11) is sporting the do. (Barry Byers)

Italy 7th grade boys head coach Jon Cady talks to Ryan Dabney, Hunter Hinz, Colby Hampton, Tanner Chambers, Matthew Monreal, Jesus Enriquez, Cade Tindol and Zach Sandlin during a team timeout. (Barry Byers)