In this corner wearing the gold and white trunks, your Italy Gladiators. And in the opposing corner, wearing royal blue trunks with orange trim, the Dallas Gateway Gators. “Let’s get ready to rumble!”

Coach Holley threw a #11 Jasenio Anderson roundhouse to counter the big man from Dallas Gateway, 6’ 6" #24 Jimmy Sykes (or “Big City” as I like to call him). Italy’s J. Anderson accounts for 4-points in the early minutes. Gateway’s “Big City” fires back with 8-points of his own. Just before round 1 ends, a brawl breaks out on the court and two Italy players are ejected along with one Gateway player. A Dallas Gateway fan was escorted out as well. Ultimately, the Gators deliver more shots in the opening round than they allow and lead 15-11 on the scorecards as the bell rings ending round 1.

Italy continued to dance around the court in the 2nd period jabbing away at the big fella from Gateway. However, the Gators unloaded a flury of shots trying to end the match early building a 28-17 advantage.

At that moment, Coach Holley throws a haymaker and J. Anderson nails a 3-pointer. Coach Holley swings again and this time #2 Heath Clemons busts a 3-pointer. And with “Big City” staggering, H. Clemons goes to the gut of the Gator defense for two jabbing layups to make the scorecard read 30-27. Continuing the assault, Coach Holley sneaks in a layup using #10 John Isaac which makes the score 30-29, with 1:26 left before the break.

The judges don’t change their scorecards until Italy’s #5 Dontavius Clemons slams in a miss to give the mighty Gladiators the lead 31-30, :35 left. Gateway’s “Big City” does manage to get in a glancing blow to retake the lead 32-31 as the bell rings, ending round 2…both teams still standing.

Halftime

The Gladiators seem to have the fresher legs and come out aggressive taking the action right to the teeth of the Gator defense. Gateway was holding on to a small lead when J. Anderson busted a 3-pointer to tie the bout 42-42. Unfortunately for Italy, they were getting into serious foul trouble putting the Gateway in the bonus.

So the remainder of round 3 was Italy’s layup skills versus the free shot accuracy of “Big City.” Italy led 46-42 at the 1:45 mark. However, the Gators managed 3-more free throws to stay close, only trailing Italy 46-45 as the bell rings, ending round 3.

At the 7:27 mark in the final round, D. Clemons fouls out for Italy becoming the 3rd weapon the Gladiators lost during the course of the match. Gateway hits 1-of-1 free throws to tie the count 46-46. After sparring back-and-forth exchanging momentum every few seconds, the contest becomes tied 55-55 with :55 remaining. Italy misses 2-free shots to take the lead and Gateway tries to hang-on in the final seconds by moving around the basketball ring and expiring the clock.

Then with a under 10-seconds left, “Big City” makes his move earning two free shots for his efforts. With his royal blue uniform now turned a dark navy from the perspiration, “Big City” strikes to major free throws connecting like right and left hooks to knock the mighty Gladiators out with 2.9 seconds left in round 4.

Italy staggered to half court on the throw-in and then called a time out. However, the Gladiators were unable to throw one last shot and the final bell rings, ending round 4, along with Italy’s hopes of defeating Dallas Gateway a second time.

Writers note: Technically, No punches were thrown in the game other than a couple of loose elbows fighting for the ball. As a precaution, extra Italy Police Officers were called in to help keep the situation calm. A police car escorted the Gateway bus to the highway after the game, without incident.

Italy scoring:
10-John Isaac, 24-points
11-Jasenio Anderson, 14-points
2-Heath Clemons, 12-points
5-Dontavius Clemons, 2-points
21-Colton Campbell, 2-points
4-Diamond Rodgers, 1-point

Gateway high scorer:
24-Jimmy “Big City” Sykes: 38-points
(Sykes hit 10-of-16 free throw attempts)