“Gladiator Throwback Night’’ honors former players and coaches

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)

Image: 1974 Regional Finalists — The 1974 Boys Regional Finalists were also honored during “Throwback Night” on Friday.

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

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

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Jackson from the line — Kyle Jackson(50) sinks a free throw.

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

Image: 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.

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)

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

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

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

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

Image: Lucky uniforms — Wearing the throwbacks, the current Italy Lady Gladiators get the job done against the Waxahachie Advantage Lady Eagles.

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

Image: The Ferguson Brothers — John Ferguson and Travis Ferguson were both part of the Italy Gladiators 1974 Boys Regional Finalist basketball team.

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

Image: Remember when… — John Ferguson and Kenny Copeland catch up wih their 1974 basketball coach, Randall Martin.

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

Image: Willie and Howard — Willie Reese and Howard Wilson were honored guests as a part of the 1974 boys regional finalists basketball team.

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

Image: Watching the action — Head coach Stacy McDonald and assistant coach Tina Richards keep their Lady Gladiators concentrated on the game.

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

Image: 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.

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)

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

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)

Image: Throwback uniforms — The current Italy Gladiators wore vintage Gladiator apparel during their game against Waxahachie Advantage.

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

Image: 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.

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image: De’Andre and Larry — De’Andre Sephus and Larry Mayberry relax after a big win over the Eagles.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

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