Gladiator JV and Varsity squads drop two against Itasca

Barry Byers Posted Italy Gladiator Basketball
Image: Gladiator point guard Kevin Johnson(5) gets fouled by Itasca on his way to the basket. The game was close until the last minutes when the Wampus Cats finally pulled away to win by 6-points, 53-47.

Gladiator point guard Kevin Johnson(5) gets fouled by Itasca on his way to the basket. The game was close until the last minutes when the Wampus Cats finally pulled away to win by 6-points, 53-47. (Barry Byers)

Itasca — Italy’s Varsity Gladiators led early 10-7 and tied the contest late at 45-all but ultimately came up short against Itasca, 53-47. Mr. Hustle, Kendrick Norwood, led Italy with 12-points including a pair of three-pointers.

Lightning quick point guard Kevin Johnson put in 8-points with 1 three-pointer. Kenneth Norwood, Jr. scored 6-points from the field and John Escamilla scored 5-points with 1 made three-pointer.

There were a few lead changes in this one with the Gladiators giving it their all but the Wampus Cats outlasted Italy in the final minutes.

Gladiator Scoring:
Gary Kincaid – 2
Kendrick Norwood – 12 (2 three-pointers)
Cody Boyd – 4
Kevin Johnson – 8 (1 three-pointer)
Ryan Connor – 4
Ty Windham – 2
John Escamilla – 5 (1 three-pointer)
Kenneth Norwood, Jr. – 6
Kyle Tindol – 2
David De La Hoya – 2

JV Action:
Italy’s JV Gladiators played hard and attacked the basket but just could not get enough shots to drop in against Itasca. That was the only difference between these two squads that are, otherwise, very equal in their abilities. Expect some real battles between Itasca and Italy over the next few seasons.

Italy has solid dribblers with point guard Gary Escamilla and Joshua Cryer able to get into the lane at will with Jorge Galvan and Dylan McCasland improving in that area as well. Cryer led Italy’s offense with 12 points including 2 three-pointers. James Walton and Anthony Lusk are becoming a formidable duo inside with Ty Hamilton and Michael Hughes added even more rebounding height into that mix.

Garrett Janek brings that defensive prowess to the lineup but is quickly evolving into more of an offensive threat. And if this group ever needs help in the shooting department, Cade Roberts and Byron Lusk, Jr. are always ready to take the shot.

Buy Friday night belonged to the JV Wampus Cats who defended their home court with a 42-29 win.

JV Gladiator Scoring:
Josh Cryer – 12 (2 three-pointers)
Gary Escamilla – 4
Jorge Galvan – 2
Anthony Lusk – 3
Dylan McCasland
Byron Lusk, Jr.
James Walton – 7
Garrett Janek – 1
Cade Roberts
Ty Hamilton
Michael Hughes
Perez

Go Gladiators!