We won! We Won! Third time is a charm as our Italy Gladiators deliver a mighty blow to the Itasca Wampus Cats and claim the Regional Quarterfinal Championship. Italy’s next game will be at Abilene Christian University’s Moody Coliseum at 8:00 against Lindsay on Friday, March 6, for the Regional Semifinal Championship.

Itasca had beaten Italy in their first two meetings of the season, 62-59 in Itasca and 68-51 in Italy. The underdog Gladiators were not intimidated by that fact and chased the cats out of the West High School gym. It was a no holds barred grudge match and Italy settled the score defeating Itasca 78-71.

UPDATE: Also in the 1A Division I Basketball Conference, Goldthwaite plays the winner of Poolville and Roscoe. They beat DeLeon last night 45-28 to win the Regional Quarterfinal. Goldthwaite had already beat Gateway 54-45 for Area.

Italy vs Itasca: – The Italy Gladiators were playing very well to start the game. The team was gelling early in the first quarter. A strong attacking offense and tenacious defense kept the Gladiators out in front. Italy’s #10 John Isaac had the hot hand and his teammates kept feeding him the ball. Isaac responded by scoring 13-points in the opening quarter helping Italy to a big first quarter lead 21-14 over Itasca.

The game remained close in the second quarter, however, Italy was still leading at the 2:27 mark, 32-31. With 1:08 remaining before the half, Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons hit a 3-pointer over the Cats’ defensive paws. Clemons scored 12 of his 16-points in the second quarter. With 5 seconds left in the half, Itasca’s #12 Desmond Guy was driving in to the basket to tie the game when Darrin Moore firmly planted his feet, took a strong charge foiling Guy’s attempt, and the 1st half ended 39-37 with Italy leading.

Halftime

With 6:30 left in the 3rd quarter, Itasca’s #5 Mikey Marshall hit an “all-net” 3-pointer, his second of the game, to give Itasca a 44-43 lead. At the 3:50 mark, Italy’s Isaac’s bucket tied the game at 48. The quarter ended with Itasca on top 55-53. Despite #11 Jasenio Anderson’s 11-point 3rd quarter for Italy, Marshall hit 12-points scratching and clawing the Cats back into the lead.

With the game still tight starting the 4th quarter, both squads were liking their chances. With 6:10 left in the game, Itasca’s Marshall hit a 3-pointer but Heath Clemons came right back and hit a 3-pointer sending a message to the Itasca faithful. The game shifted toward Itasca about 40 seconds later when Italy’s #5 Dontavius Clemons blocked a shot but fouled out on a questionable call.

A couple of minutes later momentum shifted back to Italy when Itasca’s #3 Deveon Mayberry fouled out. At this point the game was tied 64-64. After some back-and-forth, the game was tied again with 1:57 remaining 66-66. Just 30 seconds later, however, Italy had a 74-66 lead. Italy held on in the final moments to defeat their arch rivals from Itasca and claim the Regional Quarterfinal Championship 78-71.

Head Coach Kyle Holley said after the game, “I was very pleased with our effort and focus. We fought through some tough parts of the game and really turned up the intensity in the 4th quarter.”

Itasca never gave up but Italy didn’t either. Itasca’s Marshall scored 14-points in the final quarter but it was just not enough. Isaac had 10-points and Jasenio Anderson had 9-points, 7 from the foul line for Italy in the 4th. Italy wanted this game. We saw the true Gladiator spirit on that court in West. The coaches did their homework and it paid off.

An emotional #33 Darrin “Butter” Moore stated after the game, “We’re gonna win when we get to Abilene!”

An elated Lexie Miller and Becca DeMoss shouted; “We Believe! We want State!”

According to Italy Superintendent Jimmie Malone, Italy’s next stop will be in Moody Coliseum at Abilene Christian University. We play Lindsay HS @ 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6th, for the Regional Semi-Final Championship. Tickets for the game will be $6 for adults and $4 for students. They will not accept ANY passes at the Regional Tournament.

Italy High School will dismiss on Friday @ 1:30 p.m. Buses will run at this time also. Stafford Elementary will dismiss students at 1:20 p.m. to ride the buses.

Italy Gladiator Scoring:
10-John Isaac scored, 30-points
11-Jasenio Anderson, 26-points
2-Heath Clemons, 18-points
5-Dontavius Clemons, 2-points
33-Darrin Moore, 2-points.

Itasca Wampus Cat Scoring:
5-Mikey Marshall, 33-points
12-Desmond Guy, 20-points
3-Deveon Mayberry, 5-points
24-Tevin Mayberry, 4-points
4-Markel Rice, 3-points
11-J. J. Gonzalez, 3-points
23-Shakeal Mozon, 3-points

Game stats and article information provided by Karen Mathiowetz & Tommy Sutherland.

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