The Gladiators clamp down on the Gators

Image: Look Out Below — Italy’s #5 Dontavius Clemons climbs high for a block against the Dallas Gateway’s 6’ 6" big man. It was not easy, but Italy managed to out run, out leap and out last the Gators for a last second victory 87-85. The game was played at Cedar Valley College in Lancaster Friday night.

Look Out Below — Italy’s #5 Dontavius Clemons climbs high for a block against the Dallas Gateway’s 6’ 6" big man. It was not easy, but Italy managed to out run, out leap and out last the Gators for a last second victory 87-85. The game was played at Cedar Valley College in Lancaster Friday night. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Anderson Was A Beast — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson gets out on the fast break.

Anderson Was A Beast — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson gets out on the fast break. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: “Snoop” Hoops — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons floats a jumper over the mighty Gator’s defense.

“Snoop” Hoops — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons floats a jumper over the mighty Gator’s defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Anderson Pens A Gator — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson backs down a Gator defender and puts up the shot.

Anderson Pens A Gator — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson backs down a Gator defender and puts up the shot. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Moore Challenges — Italy’s #10 Darrin Moore takes the ball into the teeth of the Gator’s Defense.

Moore Challenges — Italy’s #10 Darrin Moore takes the ball into the teeth of the Gator’s Defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Heath Gets Swamped — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons gets swamped by two Gators.

Heath Gets Swamped — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons gets swamped by two Gators. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Clemons Rises — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons rises to the challenge constantly attacking the rim.

Clemons Rises — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons rises to the challenge constantly attacking the rim. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Diamond Gets Rough — Italy’s #4 Diamond Rodgers contests a Gator’s shooter.

Diamond Gets Rough — Italy’s #4 Diamond Rodgers contests a Gator’s shooter. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Earning Points — The Gators definitely didn’t make it easy on the Gladiators Friday night. Points in the paint would have to be earned.

Earning Points — The Gators definitely didn’t make it easy on the Gladiators Friday night. Points in the paint would have to be earned. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Jasenio Contorts — A flexible #11 Jasenio Anderson twist his way down the lane for 2-points.

Jasenio Contorts — A flexible #11 Jasenio Anderson twist his way down the lane for 2-points. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Gators Can fly? — Athletes from both teams put on a show for the fans.

Gators Can fly? — Athletes from both teams put on a show for the fans. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Timber — Italy’s #4 Diamond Rodgers collides into a tree trunk in the middle of the lane.

Timber — Italy’s #4 Diamond Rodgers collides into a tree trunk in the middle of the lane. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Fast Execution — Gateway’s #32 drives and dishes around Italy’s J. Anderson in mid air.

Fast Execution — Gateway’s #32 drives and dishes around Italy’s J. Anderson in mid air. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Mugged — Italy has the ball stripped inside against the mighty Gators defense.

Mugged — Italy has the ball stripped inside against the mighty Gators defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Clemons Gets Clobbered — Not backing down all game, Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons attacks the big fellow.

Clemons Gets Clobbered — Not backing down all game, Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons attacks the big fellow. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Heath Gets Fouled — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons takes it strong to the glass against Gateway Friday night.

Heath Gets Fouled — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons takes it strong to the glass against Gateway Friday night. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Poised Under Pressure — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley stayed calm in a tense situation.

Poised Under Pressure — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley stayed calm in a tense situation. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Strategizing — A total team effort between coaching staff and players made the difference in this one.

Strategizing — A total team effort between coaching staff and players made the difference in this one. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Anderson Splits — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson splits the two Gator defenders for a score.

Anderson Splits — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson splits the two Gator defenders for a score. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Cut Diamond — Italy’s #4 Diamond Rodgers cuts into the lane to put up a shot.

Cut Diamond — Italy’s #4 Diamond Rodgers cuts into the lane to put up a shot. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: John Isaac — Italy’s #10 John Isaac finishes the fast break against the Dallas Gateway Gators.

John Isaac — Italy’s #10 John Isaac finishes the fast break against the Dallas Gateway Gators. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Anderson Bumped — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson gets bumped by the big man from Gateway. It was Italy’s Anderson who proved 6’ 6’’ is just a measurement…and not the measure of a man.

Anderson Bumped — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson gets bumped by the big man from Gateway. It was Italy’s Anderson who proved 6’ 6’’ is just a measurement…and not the measure of a man. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: The Clencher — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson steps up and nails 2 free throws in the final seconds. The shots proved to be the game winners as Gateway’s #24 would miss both his free throws with :02 seconds left in regulation.

The Clencher — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson steps up and nails 2 free throws in the final seconds. The shots proved to be the game winners as Gateway’s #24 would miss both his free throws with :02 seconds left in regulation. (Anne Sutherland)

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