Consolation Championship – Men

First Italy Game: JV Gladiators vs. Mildred(Varsity):
In the Men’s Consolation Championship game, Italy’s Jase Holden scored first to put the JV Gladiators up 2-0 against the Mildred Eagles varsity squad.

The Eagles were playing well, however, and kept the game close trailing by only 1-point at the break 26-25.

Mildred came out in the 2nd half forcing the issue and the fast pace seemed to be taking its toll on Italy’s JV Gladiators who were competing against their third varsity squad in three days.

Italy’s JV could only manage 10-points in the entire 2nd half as the Mildred Eagles Varsity won the boys Consolation Championship game 47-36.

Although the young Gladiators were disappointed with the loss, the experience and confidence they will take from this tournament will benefit them for the rest of their careers.

Tournament Championship – Ladies

Second Italy Game: Lady Gladiators vs. Grace Prep:
In the Ladies Tournament Championship game, the Undefeated Grace Prep Lions(9-0) coached by Julie White had a 1-point lead after the 1st quarter, 10-9 over Italy’s Lady Gladiators(7-1) coached by Stacy McDonald.

Despite a hobbling Jimesha Reed, Italy took an 11-10 lead early in the 2nd and held an 18-15 advantage midway thru the quarter. The Lady Lions overtook the Lady Gladiators to go up by 3-points 21-18 but a Megan Richards 3-pointer, to beat the buzzer, tied the game 21-21 at halftime.

A back-and-forth 3rd quarter kept the game tied at the 3:20 mark, 26-26. Grace Prep pulled away 32-28 but an Alyssa Richards jumper, with 1:18 to go in the 3rd, made the score 32-30. Richards then swished a jump shot from the right elbow with 0:45 left to tie the game once again. Italy had a chance to reclaim the lead before the quarter ended but missed 2 free throws and the game remained tied 32-32 going into the final 8 minutes.

As the fourth wore on, the 7-girl roster of the Lady Gladiators began showing signs of fatigue against Grace Prep’s full lineup who eventually won the game 49-42.

The Lady Gladiators gave Grace Prep a scare but the Lady Lions escaped with the Tournament Championship and keep their undefeated record in tact at 10-0.

Tournament Championship – Men

Third Italy Game: Italy Gladiators vs. Kerens:
The Kerens Bobcats raced to a quick 9-0 lead over the Gladiators before Italy’s John Isaac scored to make the game 9-2. Later in the 1st quarter, a Heath Clemons 3-pointer kept the Gladiators within reach 13-5.

Italy’s Jasenio Anderson, Desmond Anderson and Isaac all contributed to pull the Gladiators within 2-points, 13-11, with 1:45 left in the 1st quarter. At the 1:00 mark, a J. Anderson steal and lay-in gave the Gladiators a temporary lead 16-15. Kerens answered with a 3-pointer to have the advantage, heading into the 2nd quarter, 18-15.

With 6:30 to go in the 2nd, a Clemons steal and a backwards pass between his legs, and beneath a Bobcat defender, lead to an open lay-up by J. Anderson to tie the game 24-24. An Isaac jumper tied the battle of wills yet again 26-26.

Then on consecutive plays by D. Anderson including a steal and a lay-up, a steal and an assist and then making 1-of-2 free throws after drawing a shooting foul, Italy was in the lead 31-26, just under 5:00 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

Moments later, a circus shot by J Anderson added to Italy’s lead 34-26. Kerens came battling back and suddenly Italy’s offense began to struggle. Missed shots by the Gladiators fueled the Bobcat fast break. After building a 66-52 lead, a Bobcat steal left Italy’s Clemons laying on the floor at midcourt holding his mid-section.

With no foul called, Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley stormed off the Gladiator bench, going ballistic in the referee’s face. Normally very laid back, Coach Holley berated the official and was tagged with a technical and warned to stay seated.

Italy assistant coaches Larry Mayberry and Josh Ward found themselves in the rare position of trying to subdue Holley, usually it’s Mayberry who has to be reigned in. Kerens finished the half hitting 2-of-4 free shots to lead at the break 68-52.

Coach Holley would later say after the game, “It’s the first technical that I ever earned.”

The Gladiators responded to Coach Holley’s efforts to defend his player and pulled within 7-points of the Bobcats after Clemons, himself, hit a 3-pointer to make the game 72-65, 4:35 remaining.

Unfortunately, Kerens outscored Italy 15-6 the rest of the way to win big, 87-71, claiming the Italy Invitational Men’s Championship and bringing to a close an exciting three days of basketball!