Abilene – Italy had a tall task in the Regional Championship game against the Roscoe Plowboys. Roscoe’s 6’ 6” 250 lbs. #55 Caden “Big Country” Smith and 6’ 6” #23 Trae Howard were both athletic and able to score. If Italy was going to make it to Austin, they were going to climb over these two mountains to get there.

The opening quarter was very fast paced and there were lots of turnovers by both teams. Italy began the 1st quarter in the full court press that was effective at the beginning. But the Plowboys didn’t get rattled. With only a seven man squad, they had seen it all thrown at them before.

Roscoe got a handle on the Gladiator’s defense quickly and starting to pass over the top of it with ease. Roscoe bulleted to an 18-10 edge at the end of the 1st, while Italy struggled to return fire.

In the 2nd, Roscoe grounded Italy’s high scoring offense. The Plowboy’s big men would corral Gladiator misfires and launch the rebounds down court like precision missle strikes to #3 Jared Villanueva who was on target, all game long, laying in 28-points before the Plowboys were done.

Roscoe’s “Big Country” scored inside as well putting in 10-points in the 2nd quarter. In fact, like a finely tuned John Deere tractor, the efficient strategy utilized by the Plowboys allowed them to go on a 21-0 run during one stretch in the quarter. Mercifully, the 2nd finally ended and Roscoe was leading at halftime 45-14.

Halftime

Italy was unable to score in the 2nd half until there was 2:16 left in the 3rd. Italy’s #3 Oscar Gonzalez steamrolled his way through pounds of Plowboys to score inside.

Even though the outcome was not looking good, Italy fans still got to their feet when #5 Dontavius Clemons stuffed Roscoe’s 6’ 6" Howard with a perfect blocked shot. The surge of momentum was short lived, however, as the Plowboys were kicked back heading into the final period with a 59-19 cushion.

The 4th period offered more of the same but Italy did have some success. The Gladiators actually outscored Roscoe 15 to 9. Italy even had 7 rebounds to 6 by the Plowboys. Late in the quarter, Italy’s #4 Jase Holden was fouled, and Roscoe’s Howard was called for goal tending when he reached up through the rim to deflect the shot. Holden sunk the charity for 1 more completing the old-fashion 3-point play.

The hopes to be Regional Final Champions, the dream of going to State, and the 2009 season all ended in Abilene. When the dinner bell sounded, The Roscoe Plowboys had put in a good days work by plowing under the Italy Gladiators 68-34 and harvesting the Regional Championship trophy.

The ride has ended for the Gladiators but what an exciting ride it was! Coach Holley and the team should feel proud knowing they are 1A, Division 1, Regional Semifinal Champions and Regional Finalists.

Coach Kyle Holley wanted the Italy fans to know, “I appreciate all the support the team got during the season and into the playoffs.”

Italy’s players did an awesome job reintroducing the Gladiators to 1A competition and represented the program with class. Seniors Dontavius Clemons, Diamond Rodgers and Darrin Moore’s contributions and talents will be missed next year, but Italy is a young squad and expects to be something special again in 2010!

“This year we knocked on the 1A door. Next year we’ll kick it in! – We Believe!”

Gladiator’s stats:

Jase Holden, 3-points
Heath Clemons, 5-points/4 rebounds
Oscar Gonzalez, 2-points/1 rebound
Dontavius Clemons (Sr), 5 rebounds
John Isaac, 12-points/1 rebound
Jasenio Anderson, 7-points/3 rebounds
Desmond Anderson, 5-points
Diamond Rodgers (Sr), 2 rebounds
Darrin Moore (Sr)

Scoring by quarters: 10 – 4 – 5 – 15 – Total 34

Plowboy’s stats:

3, 28-points/ 5 rebounds
4, 3-points/6 rebounds
5, 3 rebounds
12, 2-points/1 rebound
23, 11-points/12 rebounds
24, 7 rebounds
55, 24-points/6 rebounds

Scoring by quarters: 18 – 27 – 14 – 9 – Total 68

State’s 1st round matchups:

Roscoe plays San Antonio Stacey
Plains plays Teneha ( they beat Cayuga)