Gladiators raid Chilton for Bi-District Championship

Image: Gladiators embrace after Bi-District win — After winning the Bi-District game against the Chilton Pirates 87-73, Darrin Moore, Shanta Thomas (Game Filmer), Aaron Thomas and Heath Clemons embrace in a celebratory hug.

Gladiators embrace after Bi-District win — After winning the Bi-District game against the Chilton Pirates 87-73, Darrin Moore, Shanta Thomas (Game Filmer), Aaron Thomas and Heath Clemons embrace in a celebratory hug. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nervous Cheerleadears — It didn’t take the Italy Cheerleaders long to shake off the pre-game jitters.

Nervous Cheerleadears — It didn’t take the Italy Cheerleaders long to shake off the pre-game jitters. (Barry Byers)

Image: Working out the kinks — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson #11 was looking spry before the Bi-District game against Chilton. Anderson has recently been slowed with a sore ankle so this a good sign for Gladiator fans.

Working out the kinks — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson #11 was looking spry before the Bi-District game against Chilton. Anderson has recently been slowed with a sore ankle so this a good sign for Gladiator fans. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dontavius leaps — Senior Dontavius Clemons #5 helped Italy mutiny against Chilton as he controlled the boards against the Pirates.

Dontavius leaps — Senior Dontavius Clemons #5 helped Italy mutiny against Chilton as he controlled the boards against the Pirates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheerful Cheerleaders — The cheerleaders were all excited and a little nervous before the game.

Cheerful Cheerleaders — The cheerleaders were all excited and a little nervous before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath scores — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons had a nice outing as he goes up for two of his 12-points, including two, 3-pointers.

Heath scores — Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons had a nice outing as he goes up for two of his 12-points, including two, 3-pointers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio finds a lane — Jasenio Anderson #11 attacked the Chilton basket repeatedly earning 14 free shot attempts connecting on 12 of them.

Jasenio finds a lane — Jasenio Anderson #11 attacked the Chilton basket repeatedly earning 14 free shot attempts connecting on 12 of them. (Barry Byers)

Image: Desmond joins in — Junior Desmond Anderson #15 blasts away at the Pirates.

Desmond joins in — Junior Desmond Anderson #15 blasts away at the Pirates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Walk the plank — Chilton player #21 Xavier Shaw uses the floor planks like a diving board attempting to pass over the outstretched hand of Italy’s John Isaac #10.

Walk the plank — Chilton player #21 Xavier Shaw uses the floor planks like a diving board attempting to pass over the outstretched hand of Italy’s John Isaac #10. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clemons tries again — If at first you succeed…try, try again. So Italy’s Heath Clemons #2 tries for another 3-pointer against the Pirates.

Clemons tries again — If at first you succeed…try, try again. So Italy’s Heath Clemons #2 tries for another 3-pointer against the Pirates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jas inbounds to John — Italy’s #10 John Isaac received the inbound pass and scored two of his 24-points.

Jas inbounds to John — Italy’s #10 John Isaac received the inbound pass and scored two of his 24-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: The 2nd Half — Italy huddles before starting the 2nd Half.

The 2nd Half — Italy huddles before starting the 2nd Half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dontavius Clemons — Italy’s Dontavius Clemons #5 scored 5-points including one free throw.

Dontavius Clemons — Italy’s Dontavius Clemons #5 scored 5-points including one free throw. (Barry Byers)

Image: Darrin does it again — Italy’s #33 Darrin Moore was having a blast firing away at the Chilton Pirates scoring 15-points including three, 3-pointers.

Darrin does it again — Italy’s #33 Darrin Moore was having a blast firing away at the Chilton Pirates scoring 15-points including three, 3-pointers. (Barry Byers)

Image: The “Beast” rehydrates — The Gladiators took care of business on and off the court.

The “Beast” rehydrates — The Gladiators took care of business on and off the court. (Barry Byers)

Image: Campbell from the line — Colton Campbell #13 shoots a free throw in the BI-District Championship game.

Campbell from the line — Colton Campbell #13 shoots a free throw in the BI-District Championship game. (Barry Byers)

Image: From 3-point land — Italy’s Colton Campbell #13 had 7-points in the contest including one, 3-pointer.

From 3-point land — Italy’s Colton Campbell #13 had 7-points in the contest including one, 3-pointer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fans in droves — Italy fans showed full support and the Gladiators responded by giving them a show and a Bi-District victory. Because there is always room for another trophy on the wall of fame.

Fans in droves — Italy fans showed full support and the Gladiators responded by giving them a show and a Bi-District victory. Because there is always room for another trophy on the wall of fame. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fans are all smiles — Lets go Italy!

Fans are all smiles — Lets go Italy! (Barry Byers)

Image: The wave — Erwin Green and Jason Escamilla try to get the wave started

The wave — Erwin Green and Jason Escamilla try to get the wave started (Barry Byers)

Image: Congratulations! — Italy players climb into the bleachers after the win and get some love from the fans.

Congratulations! — Italy players climb into the bleachers after the win and get some love from the fans. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy rose up — The Italy Gladiators rose to the occasion against Chilton and crashed the Pirates 87-73.

Italy rose up — The Italy Gladiators rose to the occasion against Chilton and crashed the Pirates 87-73. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio Anderson — First they took over Chilton’s ship of dreams beating the Pirates 87-73 and then the Gladiators, led by Jasenio “Peg-leg” Anderson, stormed over the sides of the bleachers.

Jasenio Anderson — First they took over Chilton’s ship of dreams beating the Pirates 87-73 and then the Gladiators, led by Jasenio “Peg-leg” Anderson, stormed over the sides of the bleachers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clemons clowns — Senior Dontavius Clemons #5 clowns around with Italy fans after getting a big win over the Chilton Pirates 87-73. Italy’s Next game will be at 7:30 p.m. in Dublin, Texas against Menard (13A District Champs) on Friday at 7:30 p.m..

Clemons clowns — Senior Dontavius Clemons #5 clowns around with Italy fans after getting a big win over the Chilton Pirates 87-73. Italy’s Next game will be at 7:30 p.m. in Dublin, Texas against Menard (13A District Champs) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.. (Barry Byers)

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