Italy outskills Lindsay, takes Regional Semifinal Championship

Image: John Isaac #10 launches Italy into Regional Final against Roscoe — Italy’s #10 John Isaac helped the Italy Gladiators win the Regional Semifinal Championship over the Lindsay Knights 74-64 in Abilene.

John Isaac #10 launches Italy into Regional Final against Roscoe — Italy’s #10 John Isaac helped the Italy Gladiators win the Regional Semifinal Championship over the Lindsay Knights 74-64 in Abilene. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath and Dan — Italy’s Heath Clemons and Dan Crownover warm up before taking on Lindsay. These two young men do whatever it takes to help their team win.

Heath and Dan — Italy’s Heath Clemons and Dan Crownover warm up before taking on Lindsay. These two young men do whatever it takes to help their team win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Holley studies — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley isn’t concerned with the Lindsay players warming up behind him…he’s only concerned with his guys.

Coach Holley studies — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley isn’t concerned with the Lindsay players warming up behind him…he’s only concerned with his guys. (Barry Byers)

Image: Long knight — The Lindsay Knight mascot asks for a couple of aspirins after taking a blow from the mighty Italy Gladiators.

Long knight — The Lindsay Knight mascot asks for a couple of aspirins after taking a blow from the mighty Italy Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Golden Ninja — The Gladiators relied on their ninja like reflexes to impede the Knights’ fast break.

The Golden Ninja — The Gladiators relied on their ninja like reflexes to impede the Knights’ fast break. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dontavius denies — Dontavius Clemons #5 hosted a block party inside Moody Coliseum on the ACU campus.

Dontavius denies — Dontavius Clemons #5 hosted a block party inside Moody Coliseum on the ACU campus. (Barry Byers)

Image: Desmond scores — Italy senior Desmond Anderson #15 pops a jumper against the Knights.

Desmond scores — Italy senior Desmond Anderson #15 pops a jumper against the Knights. (Barry Byers)

Image: John out jumps — John Isaac rises for two of his 20-points over the outstretched hands of two Lindsay defenders.

John out jumps — John Isaac rises for two of his 20-points over the outstretched hands of two Lindsay defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Moore good news — Darrin “Butter” Moore found his range Friday night nailing two 3-pointers.

Moore good news — Darrin “Butter” Moore found his range Friday night nailing two 3-pointers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clemons goes up — Dontavius Clemons #5 rises for two of his 7-points against Lindsay.

Clemons goes up — Dontavius Clemons #5 rises for two of his 7-points against Lindsay. (Barry Byers)

Image: Diamond cuts through — Italy’s Diamond Rodgers #4 splits two Lindsay defenders to get a shot up.

Diamond cuts through — Italy’s Diamond Rodgers #4 splits two Lindsay defenders to get a shot up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio hits — Jasenio Anderson #11 hits a relaxed jump shot over the Lindsay defense.

Jasenio hits — Jasenio Anderson #11 hits a relaxed jump shot over the Lindsay defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Isaac drives — John Isaac #10 has been sensational in the playoffs.

Isaac drives — John Isaac #10 has been sensational in the playoffs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clamping down — Italy’s defense suffocated the Knights.

Clamping down — Italy’s defense suffocated the Knights. (Barry Byers)

Image: Isaac in the lane — John Isaac #10 shot for 20-points against Lindsay.

Isaac in the lane — John Isaac #10 shot for 20-points against Lindsay. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hanging on every play — Italy’s anxious fans used mental telepathy to help Gladiator shots drop in.

Hanging on every play — Italy’s anxious fans used mental telepathy to help Gladiator shots drop in. (Barry Byers)

Image: John soars and scores — Italy’s John Isaac #10 willed his Gladiators to a victory.

John soars and scores — Italy’s John Isaac #10 willed his Gladiators to a victory. (Barry Byers)

Image: Just do it! — Italy sophomore Jasenio Anderson #11 gets it done against the Knights putting in 32-points on Lindsay.

Just do it! — Italy sophomore Jasenio Anderson #11 gets it done against the Knights putting in 32-points on Lindsay. (Barry Byers)

Image: And-1 — Senior Dontavius Clemons #5 scores and hits the and-1 to make 3-points the old fashion way.

And-1 — Senior Dontavius Clemons #5 scores and hits the and-1 to make 3-points the old fashion way. (Barry Byers)

Image: All Knight long — Italy’s John Isaac #10 puts another dent in the Knights armor.

All Knight long — Italy’s John Isaac #10 puts another dent in the Knights armor. (Barry Byers)

Image: Feeling the wrath — Italy took it to Lindsay taking the Regional Semifinal Championship.

Feeling the wrath — Italy took it to Lindsay taking the Regional Semifinal Championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Anderson scoops — Jasenio’s wanted two scoops.

Anderson scoops — Jasenio’s wanted two scoops. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dylan — Dylan Haight was into the game Friday night agains the Knights.

Dylan — Dylan Haight was into the game Friday night agains the Knights. (Barry Byers)

Image: The NFL’s Keith Davis — NFL stand out Keith Davis, who was member of Italy’s 1997 State Championship team, leans over the railing to lend his support and let the Lindsay Knight fans know who is #1. The Gladiators stole the night and won the Regional Semifinal Championship 74-64.

The NFL’s Keith Davis — NFL stand out Keith Davis, who was member of Italy’s 1997 State Championship team, leans over the railing to lend his support and let the Lindsay Knight fans know who is #1. The Gladiators stole the night and won the Regional Semifinal Championship 74-64. (Barry Byers)

Return to story