Italy vs. Italy — Both IYAA 5th and 6th Grade Boys basketball teams went at it on Saturday inside the old Italy gym (George E. Scott Coliseum) with the game requiring an overtime period to determine the outcome.

Italy White was coached by Kyle Holley and Italy Gold was coached by his former players, Jasenio Anderson and Andre Speed. All three coaches are Italy High School graduates and have taken their combined athletic experiences on the hard wood and passed the knowledge onto the future of Gladiator basketball.

Italy Gold trailed 24-16 late in the fourth but defensive steals and forced turnovers allowed Italy Gold catch up. Gold’s towering center Grant Hamby scored to tie the game 26-26. With time ticking down, White inbounded the ball but Gold’s Jayden Saxon stole the ball near mid court. Saxon made his way to the hoop but the final buzzer sounded before Saxon’s layup banked in.

Regulation ended with the score still tied at 26-26, extending the 2015 season at least another 5 minutes.

Both sides got plenty of good looks at the basket but none of the shot attempts would fall. That is until the 2:00 mark when White’s Reese Janek’s jumper from the right wing found the bottom of the net to propel Italy White to a 28-26 advantage.

The last 118 seconds were frantic but Janek’s clutch bucket held up as teammate Kort Holley dribbled away the last ticks to preserve the overtime win for Italy White.

Both teams displayed tremendous sportsmanship afterwards in congratulating each other on a hard fought contest. After all, this two teams will unite as one for many years to come.

Italy White Roster and Scoring:
1 – Joe Jackson
2 – Kort Holley – 15 points (1 three-pointer)
3 – Darren Jackson
4 – Gage Wafer
5 – Bryce DeBorde – 3
6 – Chase Hyles – 2
7 – Rocklin Ginnett
9 – Andrew Celis – 2
11 – Creighton Hyles – 2
12 – Reese Janek – 4

Italy Gold Roster and Scoring:
1 – Brian Haake – 2
2 – Xavier Matlock
3 – Brody Hugghins
4 – Calvin Cantu
5 – Julius Williams
6 – Omar De La Hoya – 2
7 – Evan Cunningham – 4
8 – Jayden Saxon – 2
9 – Grant Hamby – 16 points
10 – Ty Cash

5th-6th Grade Girls Action — Italy vs. Italy:
Prior to the boys game, both IYAA 5th and 6th Girls teams went sneaker-to-sneaker with Italy Gold getting the win over Italy White. Da’Naisia McCowan led Italy Gold in scoring with a game high 12-points. Teammate Cadence Ellis was next in scoring with 5-points.

Both teams congratulated each other after the contest in a display of good sportsmanship. Like the boys, these girls will someday be united into one team and charged with carrying the torch for Lady Gladiator Basketball.

Italy Gold Roster and Scoring:
2 – Mikayla Venable – 2
9 – Da’Naisia McCowan – 12
10 – Cadence Ellis – 5
13 – Gentry Rogers – 2
14 – Sadie Hinz
8 – Jaliyah Hall – 2

Italy White Roster and Scoring:
1 – Brooklyn Steinmetz
3 – Kaitlyn Wims
5 – Alyssa Wiser
6 – Kaylie Stiles-Smith
7 – Valerie Stiles-Smith
11 – Emily Janek
12 – Karen Cortez
15 – Brianna Hall

IYAA Sports, “The winning tradition starts here.”