Italy’s JV Boys clinch the Championship

Image: 15-A Junior Varsity District Champions 2009 — The Italy Gladiators JV Boys sealed the deal against Itasca and secured the 15-A Junior Varsity District Championship by winning 75-35.

15-A Junior Varsity District Champions 2009 — The Italy Gladiators JV Boys sealed the deal against Itasca and secured the 15-A Junior Varsity District Championship by winning 75-35. (Barry Byers)

Image: Souder shoots — Italy’s #11 Brandon Souder releases a shot just outside the lane against Itasca.

Souder shoots — Italy’s #11 Brandon Souder releases a shot just outside the lane against Itasca. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Itasca’s down and out — Itasca gets fouled the hard way and falls in defeat 75-35 to the explosive Gladiators JV Boys Squad.

Itasca’s down and out — Itasca gets fouled the hard way and falls in defeat 75-35 to the explosive Gladiators JV Boys Squad. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Bobby & Brandon — Bobby Wilson and Brandon Souder were prepared for a missed Itasca free throw.

Bobby & Brandon — Bobby Wilson and Brandon Souder were prepared for a missed Itasca free throw. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Champs are all smiles — The tension is gone and the Championship is theirs.

Champs are all smiles — The tension is gone and the Championship is theirs. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Colton scores — Colton Campbell #5 penetrates past the Wampus Cats for a layup.

Colton scores — Colton Campbell #5 penetrates past the Wampus Cats for a layup. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Fighting for it — The Italy JV boys fought hard all season and were rewarded with the District Championship.

Fighting for it — The Italy JV boys fought hard all season and were rewarded with the District Championship. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Battle for the board — Italy won this battle and practically every other one on their way to a 75-35 win. Now known as the “Mayberry Massacre,” Itasca never had a chance.

Battle for the board — Italy won this battle and practically every other one on their way to a 75-35 win. Now known as the “Mayberry Massacre,” Itasca never had a chance. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Corrin Frazier — Corrin Frazier #10 ties up the ball and helps secure a District Championship as Italy’s defense smothered Itasca all night.

Corrin Frazier — Corrin Frazier #10 ties up the ball and helps secure a District Championship as Italy’s defense smothered Itasca all night. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: 40-point win — Italy’s JV Boys win by 40-points over the Itasca Wampus Cats securing a Championship

40-point win — Italy’s JV Boys win by 40-points over the Itasca Wampus Cats securing a Championship (Barry Byers)

Image: Deandre Sephus — Deandre participates in the shoot around earlier in the day.

Deandre Sephus — Deandre participates in the shoot around earlier in the day. (Barry Byers)

Image: Season in review — Jase launches over the Gateway defenders.

Season in review — Jase launches over the Gateway defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Saxon goes around — Ethan Saxon #21 goes around a Gateway Gator.

Saxon goes around — Ethan Saxon #21 goes around a Gateway Gator. (Barry Byers)

Image: “Man-Child” Mayberry — Big Larry Mayberry was to much for Gateway to handle.

“Man-Child” Mayberry — Big Larry Mayberry was to much for Gateway to handle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ashcraft all the time — Ryan tries to thwart the outlet pass from Gateway. Ryan and his teammates were always hustling for Coach Mayberry.

Ashcraft all the time — Ryan tries to thwart the outlet pass from Gateway. Ryan and his teammates were always hustling for Coach Mayberry. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy swarms — The Italy JV Boys were relentless all season with their smothering defensive pressure.

Italy swarms — The Italy JV Boys were relentless all season with their smothering defensive pressure. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase warms up — Getting loose before the Gateway is Jase Holden #4, Aaron Thomas #12 and Ryan Ashcraft.

Jase warms up — Getting loose before the Gateway is Jase Holden #4, Aaron Thomas #12 and Ryan Ashcraft. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eduardo Garcia — Eduardo Garcia #1 gets ready.

Eduardo Garcia — Eduardo Garcia #1 gets ready. (Barry Byers)

Image: Saxon is on — Saxon has been on his game all season.

Saxon is on — Saxon has been on his game all season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Deandre and Jase — After trapping Gateway, Jase gets the takeaway.

Deandre and Jase — After trapping Gateway, Jase gets the takeaway. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiator Bench — The Gladiators JV always kept their eyes on the ball and the District Championship prize.

The Gladiator Bench — The Gladiators JV always kept their eyes on the ball and the District Championship prize. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Sephus sprints — Deandre Sephus #3 sprints through the Ferris defense.

Sephus sprints — Deandre Sephus #3 sprints through the Ferris defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Ryan grabs a rebound — Italy’s defense was every bit as good as its offense all sesason.

Ryan grabs a rebound — Italy’s defense was every bit as good as its offense all sesason. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: 15-A Junior Varsity Co-District Champs — Congratulations to the Italy Lady Gladiators JV squad on their tremendous accomplishment.

15-A Junior Varsity Co-District Champs — Congratulations to the Italy Lady Gladiators JV squad on their tremendous accomplishment. (Jennifer Bales)

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