The Coliseum, Boys Championship – The Italy Gladiators competed against the Trinity Christian Cedar Hill (TCCH) Tigers this past Saturday to decide the winner of the Italy Invitational Tournament. The score was tied 2-2 at the 6:15 mark in the first period. Trinity Christian’s player #2 hit a 3-pointer to the 5:55 mark to give TCCH a 5-2 lead. TCCH’s #2 scored a layup off of a fast break to make the score 7-2. Italy’s John Isaac followed in a Italy missed shot to make the score 7-4. Isaac then feeds Heath Clemons to make it 7-6. At the 4:25 mark, TCCH’s #2 hits another 3-pointer to make it 12-6. Italy’s Dontavius Clemons puts in a missed shot off of an Italy fast break to make the score 10-8 with 3:45 left. TCCH’s #2 scores a layup off another fast break to make the score 12-8. TCCH’s #5 scores in the lane to make the score 14-8 with 2:45 left. D. Clemons draws a shooting foul with 1:57 left and hits both free throws to make the score 14-10. TCCH misses a shot and Italy’s Jasenio Anderson goes all the way for a lay-in to make the score 14-12. TCCH’s #5 responds by posting up and scores under the basket to make the score 16-12. H. Clemons picks his way around a TCCH defense and hits to make it 16-14. TCCH’s #5 scores in the lane again to make it 18-14. TCCH’s #11 gets fouled with :16.9 left and hits both free throws and the first period ends with TCCH leading 20-14.

TCCH wasted no time in the second period when TCCH’s #5 gets a dunk off an assist from TCCH’s #2 to make the score 22-14 at the 7:35 mark. Italy’s Desmond Anderson comes up with a bucket making the score 22-16. TCCH’s #3 scores his first points to make the score 24-16 at the 5:59. Italy’s Darrin Moore hits a 3-pointer to make it 24-19 with 5:31 left on the clock. Moore hits another 3-pointer at the 4:31 mark to make the score to 24-22. Italy fans could be heard chanting Moore’s nickname, “Butter, Butter!” H. Clemons drives and double-pumps to make it 24-24 with 3:51 left in the second period. After Italy’s Moore blocks a TCCH player’s shot, the Tigers keep control of the ball and end up with a shooting foul. TCCH’s #3 hits 1 of 2 free throws making the score 25-24 with 3:42 left before halftime. After some back and forth scoring, Italy’s Desmond Anderson drives and puts in a layup bringing the score 28-25 with 3:15 left in the second period.

TCCH finds the basket again, but Italy’s H. Clemons responds with a 3-pointer to keep the lead 31-27. Italy’s D. Clemons steals and dishes to H. Clemons who gets fouled trying to shoot a layup. H. Clemons hits both of his free throws and Italy leads 33-27. TCCH throws the ball away with 2:15 left in the half, and Moore makes a jumper increasing Italy’s advantage 35-27 with 1:40 remaining. TCCH scores last 3 points of the half with the score 35-30, Italy leads.

TCCH scores the first 4 points of the second half to make the score 35-34 with Italy still in front. Italy counters by scoring the next 4 points making it 39-34 in the third period. TCCH’s #2 drops in a shot at the 6:23 mark keeping the Tigers in the game. On the next possession, TCCH’s #5 steals the ball and passes ahead to #11, who scores making it 39-38. J. Anderson passes Moore who hits an outside jumper making it 41-38 with 5:30 left in the third period. TCCH sharp-shooter #5 hits a 3-pointer tying the game at 41-41. TCCH’s #3 takes it all the way for another Tiger score making 43-41 at the 4:40 mark. The Tiger’s get charged with a technical foul for delay of game after making the shot, and J. Anderson hits 1 out of 2 technical free throws to make the score 43-42, Tigers lead. With 3:50 left in the third period, TCCH’s #22 goes to the goal to make the score 45-42.

J. Anderson gets fouled shooting, hits both of the free throws, and follows that with a layup giving Italy the lead 46-45, 3:22 left. D. Clemons steals and dishes to Italy’s #10 to make it 48-45. TCCH’s #11 responds by going to the rack and draws a two-shot foul. He hits 1 out of 2 to make the score 48-46 with the Tigers close behind. J. Anderson earns 3 points the old fashion way making the score 51-46. TCCH’s #2 rebounds and puts it back in making the score 51-48, 2:08 left in the third. TCCH’s #5 scores to make it 51-50. TCCH gets fouled shooting and Italy picks up a technical after the play. The Tigers hit all 3 free throws and take a 51-53 lead heading into the fourth period.

Quickly into the fourth, Italy’s Diamond Rodgers follows in a missed shot tying the score 53-53. TCCH’s #3 hits medium range jumper making it 55-53 at the 6:25 mark. On the next possession, J. Anderson hits a jumper tying the game once again at 55-55. D. Moore gets fouled trying to shoot a 3-pointer and goes to the line, hitting 1 out of 3 regaining the lead for Italy, 56-55. TCCH’s #11 is not detoured and hits a jumper getting the lead back for the Tigers, 57-56. J. Anderson puts in a layup to give Italy back the advantage, 58-57 with 4:54. TCCH’s #2 gets fouled and hits both free throws giving the Tigers the lead once again, 59-58. After Italy misses the front end of a 1-and-1, TCCH’s #3 draws a foul and makes both free throws to make the score 61-58 with TCCH leading. With TCCH in the bonus, the Tigers put in 6 straight foul shots to make the score 67-58. Italy’s J. Anderson scores a layup making it 67-60 with 2:15 in the Championship game.

H. Clemons drives and draws a shooting foul, hitting both foul shots to pull closer to the Tigers, 67-62. TCCH’s #5 gets fouled and hits 1 out of 2 free throws giving TCCH a 68-62 lead with :35 left. Italy’s J. Anderson drains a long 3-pointer from way beyond the 3-point line making the score 68-65. With :13 remaining, TCCH’s #2 gets fouled but misses both charity shots. Italy calls timeout with :11 still to play. Out of the timeout, Italy misses a 3-pointer to tie and D. Clemons fouls TCCH’s #5 on the rebound. TCCH’s #5 gets a technical called for being too aggressive after the play. TCCH’s #5 is allowed to shoot his foul shots first and hits 1 out of 2 to make the score 69-65.

J. Anderson shoots the technical shots for Italy and makes both bringing Italy within 2, 69-67. Due to the technical foul charged to the Tigers, Italy gets to inbound the ball from midcourt with :03 on the clock. Unfortunately the hometown heroes are unable to release a shot before the buzzer, and the tournament hosting 1A Italy Gladiators are defeated by 5A Trinity Christian Cedar Hill Tigers. The Tigers win the Italy Invitational Tournament 69-67.

Coach Jarod Moss of the Trinity Christian Tigers said, “Italy hustled more than any team we’ve played this year. I’m really proud of my guys for finishing strong and finding a way to win.” The win gives the Tigers a 13-2 record.