Gladiators Basketball honored by Ellis County Commissioners Court

Image: The Italy Gladiators give the gargoyles something to smile about — (Top row) Darrin Moore, Jase Holden, Jasenio Anderson, Ryan Ashcraft, Dontavius Clemons, John Isaac, Aaron Thomas (2nd row) Asst. Coach Josh Ward, Donald Walton, Oscar Gonzalez, Diamond Rodgers, Desmond Anderson, Dan Crownover, (1st row) Asst. Coach Larry Mayberry, DeAndre Sephus, Heath Clemons, Head Coach Kyle Holley

The Italy Gladiators give the gargoyles something to smile about — (Top row) Darrin Moore, Jase Holden, Jasenio Anderson, Ryan Ashcraft, Dontavius Clemons, John Isaac, Aaron Thomas (2nd row) Asst. Coach Josh Ward, Donald Walton, Oscar Gonzalez, Diamond Rodgers, Desmond Anderson, Dan Crownover, (1st row) Asst. Coach Larry Mayberry, DeAndre Sephus, Heath Clemons, Head Coach Kyle Holley (Barry Byers)

Image: Walking Tall — Assistant Coaches Josh Ward and Larry Mayberry step into the Waxahachie Courthouse along with the team.

Walking Tall — Assistant Coaches Josh Ward and Larry Mayberry step into the Waxahachie Courthouse along with the team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Order In The Court! — Bobby Itson was found guilty of being Italy’s #1 fan after arriving at the proceedings inside the Waxahachie Courthouse early.

Order In The Court! — Bobby Itson was found guilty of being Italy’s #1 fan after arriving at the proceedings inside the Waxahachie Courthouse early. (Barry Byers)

Image: Grand Entrance — The Gladiators navigate their way into the Waxahachie Courthouse as they did during their playoff run, by throwing caution aside.

Grand Entrance — The Gladiators navigate their way into the Waxahachie Courthouse as they did during their playoff run, by throwing caution aside. (Barry Byers)

Image: Supporting The Team — The team’s family and friends along with a board member or two made their way to the Waxahachie Courthouse to show their support. Commissioner Heath Sims would later comment that he was impressed by the Gladiator patronage.

Supporting The Team — The team’s family and friends along with a board member or two made their way to the Waxahachie Courthouse to show their support. Commissioner Heath Sims would later comment that he was impressed by the Gladiator patronage. (Barry Byers)

Image: Enjoying The Moment — (Left to right) John Isaac, Jase Holden, Dontavius “Maximus” Clemons and Diamond Rodgers are excited about appearing before the Ellis County Commissioners Court.

Enjoying The Moment — (Left to right) John Isaac, Jase Holden, Dontavius “Maximus” Clemons and Diamond Rodgers are excited about appearing before the Ellis County Commissioners Court. (Barry Byers)

Image: Court’s In Session — The Ellis County Commissioners Court is now in session and prepares to read a proclamation.

Court’s In Session — The Ellis County Commissioners Court is now in session and prepares to read a proclamation. (Barry Byers)

Image: Commissioners Court — Commissioner Heath Sims reads the proclamation to the 2009 Italy Gladiators Boys Basketball Team inside the 40th District Court within the Waxahachie Courthouse.

Commissioners Court — Commissioner Heath Sims reads the proclamation to the 2009 Italy Gladiators Boys Basketball Team inside the 40th District Court within the Waxahachie Courthouse. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fans & Board Members — Fans, Family and Board Members were on hand to witness the proclamation as it was stated by Ellis County Commissioner Heath Sims.

Fans & Board Members — Fans, Family and Board Members were on hand to witness the proclamation as it was stated by Ellis County Commissioner Heath Sims. (Barry Byers)

Image: Display Of Respect — After facing district and playoff competition, the Gladiators are honored by the Ellis County Commissioners Court after their successful 2009 basketball season on the court.

Display Of Respect — After facing district and playoff competition, the Gladiators are honored by the Ellis County Commissioners Court after their successful 2009 basketball season on the court. (Barry Byers)

Image: Official Proclamation — Heath Sims, the Ellis County Commissioner Precinct 3, delivers a “Proclamation” on behalf of the 2009 Italy Gladiators Boys Basketball Team as the players and coaches stand at attention.

Official Proclamation — Heath Sims, the Ellis County Commissioner Precinct 3, delivers a “Proclamation” on behalf of the 2009 Italy Gladiators Boys Basketball Team as the players and coaches stand at attention. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coaches Speech — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley speaks to the Commissioners Court on behalf of his team.

Coaches Speech — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley speaks to the Commissioners Court on behalf of his team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Congratulations! — Italy High School Board Member Larry Eubank shakes hands with Coach Kyle Holley and his father Mr. Weldon Holley after the presentation honoring the team.

Congratulations! — Italy High School Board Member Larry Eubank shakes hands with Coach Kyle Holley and his father Mr. Weldon Holley after the presentation honoring the team. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators — Oscar Gonzalez, DeAndre Sephus and Heath Clemons are already discussing next year’s goals as they exit the Waxahachie Courthouse.

The Gladiators — Oscar Gonzalez, DeAndre Sephus and Heath Clemons are already discussing next year’s goals as they exit the Waxahachie Courthouse. (Barry Byers)

Image: Time To Rest-araunt — Seniors Diamond Rodgers, Dontavius Clemons and Desmond Anderson decide to take a well deserved break after their long basketball season.

Time To Rest-araunt — Seniors Diamond Rodgers, Dontavius Clemons and Desmond Anderson decide to take a well deserved break after their long basketball season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Looking Up — Whether it’s battling for a win in the Regional Tournament or ordering a pizza at CiCi’s, Heath Clemons and his Gladiator teammates always set their sights high.

Looking Up — Whether it’s battling for a win in the Regional Tournament or ordering a pizza at CiCi’s, Heath Clemons and his Gladiator teammates always set their sights high. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase And Donald — Jase Holden and Donald Walton are putting it away like Italy did in their basketball games.

Jase And Donald — Jase Holden and Donald Walton are putting it away like Italy did in their basketball games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Take It To The Hole — (Left to right) DeAndre Sephus, Aaron Thomas, Heath Clemons and Darrin Moore can’t miss when eating pizza.

Take It To The Hole — (Left to right) DeAndre Sephus, Aaron Thomas, Heath Clemons and Darrin Moore can’t miss when eating pizza. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dan And Ryan — Dan Crownover and Ryan Ashcraft strategize on getting seconds at the buffet line.

Dan And Ryan — Dan Crownover and Ryan Ashcraft strategize on getting seconds at the buffet line. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Isaac — John Isaac prepares to slice through a stack of pizza like he did against the competition throughout Italy’s dramatic playoff run.

John Isaac — John Isaac prepares to slice through a stack of pizza like he did against the competition throughout Italy’s dramatic playoff run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Holley’s Enjoy CiCi’s — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley enjoys celebrating with his family and basketball team at CiCi’s Pizza in Waxahachie.

Holley’s Enjoy CiCi’s — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley enjoys celebrating with his family and basketball team at CiCi’s Pizza in Waxahachie. (Barry Byers)

Image: Def. Player Of The Year — Defensive Player of the Year, Jasenio “Beast” Anderson, keeps a protective eye on patrons, ready to defend his plate like he did his team’s basketball goal.

Def. Player Of The Year — Defensive Player of the Year, Jasenio “Beast” Anderson, keeps a protective eye on patrons, ready to defend his plate like he did his team’s basketball goal.

Image: Slamming — Diamond Rodgers and Dontavius Clemons (In back) apply their basketball skills at CiCi’s and slam down several pizza slices.

Slamming — Diamond Rodgers and Dontavius Clemons (In back) apply their basketball skills at CiCi’s and slam down several pizza slices.

Image: It Certainly Was! — The Italy Gladiators had a banner season in 2009.

It Certainly Was! — The Italy Gladiators had a banner season in 2009. (Anne Sutherland)

Return to story