“Gladiator Throwback Night’’ honors former players and coaches

Barry Byers Posted February 1, 2010 1:00pm Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: 1955 Girls State Semi-Finalists — The 1955 Girls State Semi-Finalists basketball team (30-5) was honored during “Throwback Night” at Italy Coliseum Friday night. The team was the only Italy team to ever win 30 games in a season. — 1955 Girls State Semi-Finalists — The 1955 Girls State Semi-Finalists basketball team (30-5) was honored during “Throwback Night” at Italy Coliseum Friday night. The team was the only Italy team to ever win 30 games in a season. (Barry Byers)

Friday night, Italy Basketball celebrated Throwback Night honoring the 1955 girls State Semi-finalists and the 1974 boys Regional Finalists Basketball teams. Honorees enjoyed watching the current JV Boys, Varsity girls and Varsity boys basketball teams as they defeated the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles in all 3 games.

Also, the honorees were invited to reminisce and have a snack at the Italy high School Cafeteria after the games. With a variety of snacks and deserts surrounding trophies earned by the past players, everyone enjoyed catching up on old times. It was a great night for alumni and current players to celebrate being a part of a legendary tradition.

Italy JV Boys:
In another dominating performance, Coach Larry Mayberry’s JV boys schooled the Waxahachie Advantge JV Eagles on Friday. If Waxahachie Advantage was hoping the home teams might be distracted by the goings on of “Throwback Night,” their hopes were quickly doused as the Italy JV boys set the tone for the evening with a 76-35 win. Italy was lead in scoring by Bubba Itson with 20-points, Kyle Jackson with 15-points and Devonta Simmons with 12-points.

Lady Gladiators:
Anticipating a fairly easy night against Waxahchie Advantage, head coach Stacy McDonald moved her JV girls up to play with the varsity Lady Gladiators (15-10) in this one. Coach McDonald wasted no time getting her JV players into the game and Italy still managed an early 16-0 lead.

Jameka Copeland excited the crowd with a 3-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer to give Italy a 38-2 lead. By games end and dressed in throwback uniforms, the Lady Gladiators won easily over the Waxahachie Lady Eagles 54-12.

Italy Gladiators:
It was almost Free Hotdog Night at Italy Coliseum as the Italy Gladiators (20-3) were unstoppable in a 96-14 win over the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles. Also playing in throwback uniforms, every Gladiator scored during the contest as Italy improves to 5-0 in district.

Colton Campbell was high point for the Gladiators with 14. Campbell was also perfect at the free throw line sinking 4 of 4. Also scoring for Italy were Aaron Thomas with 12, including a transition slam dunk, De’Andre Sephus with 10 and John Isaac with 10.

All four Italy High School teams travel to Dallas Gateway Gators on Tuesday, February 2, with the JV girls starting at 4:00 p.m., the JV boys play at 5:15 p.m., the Lady Gladiators begin at 6:30 p.m. and the Gladiators will try to make it 2-0 against the Gators this season starting at 8:00 p.m.

Stats povided by Karen Mathiowetz

1955 Girls State Semi-Finalists:
Jan Hammonds Wolaver
Margaret Riddle Phillips
Mary Scott Steele
Gail Windham Marlowe
Elaine Parker Boane
Josephine Poe Ivy
Nita Mauldin Terry
Mary Munoz Contreras
Linda McConnell
Doris Holley Mitchell
Janice Ward
Sue Speer Carroll
Linda Phillips
Rosie Brown – deceased
Annette Hicks – deceased

Graduated in 1954:
Margaret Green Schriber
Nancy Riddle White

Coach:
S.H. Fletcher

1974 Boys Regional Finalists
John Ferguson
Travis Ferguson
Gary Helms
Stephen Carter
Jimmy Weaver
Willie Reese
Johnny Johnson
Ricky Carter
Howard Wilson
Kenny Copeland
Leonard Jennings
Earl Buchanan
John Herrin
Chester thompson
Hubert Ransom
Rusty Morgan
Ronnie Cohagen – deceased
Reginald Scott – deceased

Coaches:
Randall Martin
Jack Shellnut

A special thanks to Karen Mathiowetz for helping to ensure the 1955 Girls Semi-Finalists team now has their rightful place in Lady Gladiator history as their efforts will be permanently honored via a banner that hangs inside Italy Coliseum.

1974 Regional Finalists — The 1974 Boys Regional Finalists were also honored during “Throwback Night” on Friday. (Barry Byers)

The good old days — The Italy Junior High Cheerleaders performed at halftime in throwback uniforms to the song, “Girls just want to have fun!” (Barry Byers)

Kyle gets fouled — Italy’s Kyle Jackson(50) gets fouled under the basket as Ethan Simon and Bubba Itson look on during the JV boys’ game. (Barry Byers)

Jackson from the line — Kyle Jackson(50) sinks a free throw. (Barry Byers)

Here for Linda — Italy head coach Kyle Holley and his family welcome Kyle’s former teammate, Lance Logan (middle), who arrived with his kids to support Lance’s mother, Linda (wearing a scarf), who was being honored for being a part of the 1955 girls semi-finalists basketball team. (Barry Byers)

Kaitlyn is all business — Kaitlyn Rossa(25) played inspired basketball in an Italy throwback uniform. (Barry Byers)

Shelbi shoots — Italy’s Shelbi Gilley(14) rises up against Waxahachie Advantage. (Barry Byers)

Lucky uniforms — Wearing the throwbacks, the current Italy Lady Gladiators get the job done against the Waxahachie Advantage Lady Eagles. (Barry Byers)

The Ferguson Brothers — John Ferguson and Travis Ferguson were both part of the Italy Gladiators 1974 Boys Regional Finalist basketball team. (Barry Byers)

Remember when… — John Ferguson and Kenny Copeland catch up wih their 1974 basketball coach, Randall Martin. (Barry Byers)

Willie and Howard — Willie Reese and Howard Wilson were honored guests as a part of the 1974 boys regional finalists basketball team. (Barry Byers)

Watching the action — Head coach Stacy McDonald and assistant coach Tina Richards keep their Lady Gladiators concentrated on the game. (Barry Byers)

Players honored — The 1974 boys regional finalists team was honored at halftime. In attendance, left to right: Howard Wilson, Travis Ferguson, Willie Reese, Kenny Copeland, Coach Randall Martin, Stephen Carter, John Ferguson, Gary Helms and Jimmy Weaver. (Barry Byers)

Show of thanks — The Lady Gladiators and Italy High School cheerleaders formed a line to congratulate their honored alumni on a job well done. (Barry Byers)

Throwback uniforms — The current Italy Gladiators wore vintage Gladiator apparel during their game against Waxahachie Advantage. (Barry Byers)

Back in time — The current Italy High School cheerleaders took us back in time wearing cheerleading uniforms from the past and lots of make-up. (Barry Byers)

Heath creates — Heath Clemons(22) drives right thru the middle of the Eagle defense. (Barry Byers)

Colton impresses — Colton Campbell(5) hits a free throw wearing old, old gold. (Barry Byers)

Ashcraft dazzles — These old uniforms look good as new as current Gladiator Ryan Ashcraft(4) scores inside. (Barry Byers)

Oscar’s graceful — Oscar Gonzalez(3) glides in for a score against Waxahachie Advantage. (Barry Byers)

De’Andre and Larry — De’Andre Sephus and Larry Mayberry relax after a big win over the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Old school, new look — Thanks to senior Desmond Anderson, it is safe to say this is the first time this old uniform was ever worn by a player with a mohawk cut. (Barry Byers)

Reminiscing — Honored players from the 1955 girls semi-finalist team and the 1974 boys regional finalist team mingled after the games inside the Italy High School cafeteria. (Barry Byers)