Gladiators lose a chiller against Itasca

Barry Byers Posted February 19, 2009 2:30am Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: Italy performs their pregame ritual — The Italy Gladiators were hoping for a better outcome against Itasca but with a slowed Jasenio Anderson and a fired up group of Itasca Wampus Cats, it turned into a long, cold shooting night for our hometown heroes. — Italy performs their pregame ritual — The Italy Gladiators were hoping for a better outcome against Itasca but with a slowed Jasenio Anderson and a fired up group of Itasca Wampus Cats, it turned into a long, cold shooting night for our hometown heroes. (Anne Sutherland)

Upcoming Playoff schedule for the Italy Gladiators Varsity Boys:

Italy will have a warm-up game this Friday in Italy vs. Cross Roads at 6:00 p.m.

The Playoff game will be on Monday, Feb. 23 against Chilton in West at 7:00 p.m. Adults $5, Students $3

The Coliseum, Italy vs Itasca – Let’s face it, with Jasenio Anderson not being 100% healthy (still nursing a foot sprain from the Gateway game), Italy probably knew their chances would be slim. Still, I don’t think any of us expected our skilled Italy shooters to go cold from the floor. And I mean the whole Italy squad was brrrrrrrr cold.

Itasca was more on the warmer side of the shooting spectrum ultimately beating Italy by a comfortable 68º to a much cooler 51º. The Dome started to resemble an igloo, and fast, as Itasca built a bone chilling 20-7 lead by the end of the 1st quarter.

The temperature didn’t rise much for Italy in the second period either. Heath Clemons #2 and Darrin Moore #33 both scored 5-points including a 3-point shot by each player. Itasca, on the other hand, made three 3-pointers from three different players, scoring 18-points in the period, and took a 38-19 lead into halftime.

Halftime

Italy was led by Jasenio Anderson’s 6-points in the 3rd period but it was only a small flury compared to the heat wave Itasca was experiencing. Itasca added another 14-points including #5 M. Marshall’s third 3-point scorcher of the game. Itasca took a 52-28 lead into the final period.

Itasca’s #12 D. Guy scored 13-points in the 4th hitting 5-of-10 free shots. Italy’s Jasenio Anderson finished strong scoring 13-points which included three 3-pointers (matching his #13 replacement jersey after an equipment change in the 2nd half). Italy’s John Isaac also finished the game strong scoring 9 of his 13-points in the last period.

Unfortunately for the Gladiators, it was Itasca’s night. Everything went their way and their shots just wouldn’t miss. Itasca managed to turn up the heat and defeat Italy for the second time this season 68-51. It was a bitterly cold loss for the Gladiators but with Jasenio Anderson showing signs of being his old self, expect Italy to catch fire in the playoffs.

Italy’s top scorers:
11-Jasenio Anderson, 20-points (with a sore ankle)
10-John Isaac, 13-points

Itasca’s top scorer:
12-D. Guy, 33-points

Italy vs Itasca — Italy and Itasca wish each other the best of luck before the opening tip. (Anne Sutherland)

Senior Dontavius Clemons — Italy’s #5 Dontavius Clemons receives a hand from teammates and fans as he enters his the game. (Anne Sutherland)

Heath from the line — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons tries a free shot against Itasca since Italy couldn’t buy one Monday night. (Anne Sutherland)

Valiant effort — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson put up a Valiant effort against the Wampus Cats. Even though Jasenio was slowed by a nagging ankle injury, he still managed 20-points in the contest. (Anne Sutherland)

Moore butter please — Even Darrin “Butter” Moore’s scoring average melted under the hot streak displayed by Itasca’s shooters. (Anne Sutherland)

Isaac — Italy’s John Isaac #10 tries to get a Wampus Cat down from the net. (Anne Sutherland)

John be good — Italy needed points and all the fans were hoping this shot by #10 John Isaac would be good for two. (Anne Sutherland)

Dan looks inside — Italy’s Dan Crownover #20 looked for answers inside and outside the lane against Itasca. (Anne Sutherland)

Darrin looks ahead — Don’t worry Italy Fans. Darrin Moore #33 and the rest of the Gladiators will shake this one off as they are looking ahead toward the playoffs. (Anne Sutherland)

Desmond dribbles — Anderson tries to break the ice by setting up the Italy offense. (Anne Sutherland)

Jasenio for three — Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson played most of the game Monday against Itasca. Anderson is still slowed by an ankle sprain, received a few games back, but he is starting to look like his old self as he was able to knock down some 3-pointers. (Anne Sutherland)

Dontavius inbounds — Senior #5 Dontavius Clemons inbounds to Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson against Itasca. (Anne Sutherland)

Moore heat — Italy’s Darrin Moore tries to heat up the Gladiator’s scoring attack. (Anne Sutherland)

Heath sets up — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons sets the offense against Itasca’s defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Jumping for joy — Itasca’s shooters were jumping for joy as they enjoyed a splendid shooting night. (Anne Sutherland)

Iced over — The Italy basket was more like an ice bucket as it Italy struggled to find the range. (Anne Sutherland)

Desmond shoots — Trying to spark the Gladiators is Desmond Anderson #15. (Anne Sutherland)

Staying warm — The Italy Cheerleaders try to stay warm during Italy’s cold shooting night against Itasca. (Anne Sutherland)

John Isaac defends — Italy’s #10 John Isaac did what he could to put out the fire started by Itasca’s hot shooters. (Anne Sutherland)

Unlucky 13 — Jasenio’s jersey says it all. Jasenio’s #11 jersey had blood on it so he made a quick change in the locker room and finished the game wearing #13. (Anne Sutherland)

Cheerleaders cheer! — Trying to keep everyone’s spirit and fire things up a bit are the Italy High School Cheerleaders. (Anne Sutherland)

Diamond claws a Cat — Italy’s #4 Diamond Rodgers keeps Itasca away from the loose ball. (Anne Sutherland)

Hold ‘em down! — Italy was unable to hold Itasca’s shooters down for long as the Wampus Cats had the hot hand and handed Italy a 68-51 loss. (Anne Sutherland)