Gladiators lose a chiller against Itasca

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)

Image: Italy vs Itasca — Italy and Itasca wish each other the best of luck before the opening tip.

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

Image: Senior Dontavius Clemons — Italy’s #5 Dontavius Clemons receives a hand from teammates and fans as he enters his the game.

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

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

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Moore butter please — Even Darrin “Butter” Moore’s scoring average melted under the hot streak displayed by Itasca’s shooters.

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

Image: Isaac — Italy’s John Isaac #10 tries to get a Wampus Cat down from the net.

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

Image: John be good — Italy needed points and all the fans were hoping this shot by #10 John Isaac would be good for two.

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)

Image: Dan looks inside — Italy’s Dan Crownover #20 looked for answers inside and outside the lane against Itasca.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Desmond dribbles — Anderson tries to break the ice by setting up the Italy offense.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Dontavius inbounds — Senior #5 Dontavius Clemons inbounds to Italy’s #11 Jasenio Anderson against Itasca.

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

Image: Moore heat — Italy’s Darrin Moore tries to heat up the Gladiator’s scoring attack.

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

Image: Heath sets up — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons sets the offense against Itasca’s defense.

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

Image: Jumping for joy — Itasca’s shooters were jumping for joy as they enjoyed a splendid shooting night.

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

Image: Iced over — The Italy basket was more like an ice bucket as it Italy struggled to find the range.

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

Image: Desmond shoots — Trying to spark the Gladiators is Desmond Anderson #15.

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

Image: Staying warm — The Italy Cheerleaders try to stay warm during Italy’s cold shooting night against Itasca.

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

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

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Cheerleaders cheer! — Trying to keep everyone’s spirit and fire things up a bit are the Italy High School Cheerleaders.

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

Image: Diamond claws a Cat — Italy’s #4 Diamond Rodgers keeps Itasca away from the loose ball.

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

Image: 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.

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)

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