Gladiators sweep Itasca, claim District Championship

Image: 2010 Italy Gladiators, District Champions…how sweet it sounds! — Congratulations to the Italy Gladiators who have accomplished Goal #1, winning the 1A-1 Region II District 15 District Championship! Back row: Oscar Gonzalez, Jasenio Anderson, Jase Holden, Colton Campbell, John Isaac, Larry Mayberry. Middle Row: Desmond Anderson, Ryan Ashcraft, Heath Clemons, Aaron Thomas. Front Row: De’Andre Sephus.

2010 Italy Gladiators, District Champions…how sweet it sounds! — Congratulations to the Italy Gladiators who have accomplished Goal #1, winning the 1A-1 Region II District 15 District Championship! Back row: Oscar Gonzalez, Jasenio Anderson, Jase Holden, Colton Campbell, John Isaac, Larry Mayberry. Middle Row: Desmond Anderson, Ryan Ashcraft, Heath Clemons, Aaron Thomas. Front Row: De’Andre Sephus. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton hits a jumper — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) hits a jumper over an Itasca defender.

Colton hits a jumper — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) hits a jumper over an Itasca defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Beast Mode — Jasenio “Beast” Anderson(11) goes up strong to score 2 of his 28-points against Itasca.

Beast Mode — Jasenio “Beast” Anderson(11) goes up strong to score 2 of his 28-points against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sephus drives — De’Andre Sephus dribbles into the teeth of the Wampus Cat defense with a Heath Clemons(2) riding the wing.

Sephus drives — De’Andre Sephus dribbles into the teeth of the Wampus Cat defense with a Heath Clemons(2) riding the wing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go, Big Baby! — Larry “Big Baby” Mayberry(13), only a sophomore, elevates over the Cats for a score.

Go, Big Baby! — Larry “Big Baby” Mayberry(13), only a sophomore, elevates over the Cats for a score. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sephus for 3 — De’Andre Sephus(20) pops a 3-pointer during the game.

Sephus for 3 — De’Andre Sephus(20) pops a 3-pointer during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: District on the line — Jasenio Anderson(11) made 6-of-10 free throws in the game.

District on the line — Jasenio Anderson(11) made 6-of-10 free throws in the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sephus soars — De’Andre Sephus(20) tries to loft a shot over the Itasca defense.

Sephus soars — De’Andre Sephus(20) tries to loft a shot over the Itasca defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jas makes it! — Jasenio Anderson(11) knocks down a 3-pointer with a Wampus Cat in his face.

Jas makes it! — Jasenio Anderson(11) knocks down a 3-pointer with a Wampus Cat in his face. (Barry Byers)

Image: Isaac astounds — Italy gets the Wampus Cat off their back as John Isaac(10) goes opposite side of the rim to score a layup. Italy won both district games against Itasca this season.

Isaac astounds — Italy gets the Wampus Cat off their back as John Isaac(10) goes opposite side of the rim to score a layup. Italy won both district games against Itasca this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pit stop — Both Italy and Itasca get refueled during a pause in the action.

Pit stop — Both Italy and Itasca get refueled during a pause in the action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy wanted it — Itasca tries to catch their breath while John Isaac is already plotting his next rebound.

Italy wanted it — Itasca tries to catch their breath while John Isaac is already plotting his next rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy took it — Jasenio Anderson(11) and Larry Mayberry(13) leap into the air to secure a rebound.

Italy took it — Jasenio Anderson(11) and Larry Mayberry(13) leap into the air to secure a rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: No contest — Jasenio Anderson(11) penetrates the middle of Itasca’s defense and floats a shot over Itasca’s Desmond Guy to score again.

No contest — Jasenio Anderson(11) penetrates the middle of Itasca’s defense and floats a shot over Itasca’s Desmond Guy to score again. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s fans pack in — With the recent snow fall melting outside, Italy’s fans flooded Itasca’s gymnasium in support of the Gladiators.

Italy’s fans pack in — With the recent snow fall melting outside, Italy’s fans flooded Itasca’s gymnasium in support of the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Enjoying every minute — Gladiator Nation enjoyed the road trip to Itasca to witness the Italy Gladiators claim the district championship.

Enjoying every minute — Gladiator Nation enjoyed the road trip to Itasca to witness the Italy Gladiators claim the district championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Closing in — Italy huddles in the 4th quarter in anticipation of becoming district champions.

Closing in — Italy huddles in the 4th quarter in anticipation of becoming district champions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clemons and Coach — Like a pack of wild dogs, Heath Clemons(2) and the Italy Gladiators attacked the Itasca Wampus Cats from start to finish to become District Champions.

Clemons and Coach — Like a pack of wild dogs, Heath Clemons(2) and the Italy Gladiators attacked the Itasca Wampus Cats from start to finish to become District Champions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fans in the stands — Courtney Riddle, Lacy Mott and Alex Jones were wearing their IYAA basketball uniforms in support of the Gladiators.

Fans in the stands — Courtney Riddle, Lacy Mott and Alex Jones were wearing their IYAA basketball uniforms in support of the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle smiles — Kyle Wilkins was all smiles outside the Gladiator locker room after the game.

Kyle smiles — Kyle Wilkins was all smiles outside the Gladiator locker room after the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Texting the world — Senior Desmond Anderson gets the word out that the Italy Gladiators beat Itasca 73-61 to claim the district championship.

Texting the world — Senior Desmond Anderson gets the word out that the Italy Gladiators beat Itasca 73-61 to claim the district championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tune in next game — Episode 9: How to sweep the Itasca Wampus Cats. Next episode: How to pluck the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles. Wampus Cats were injured during the filming of The Jasenio Anderson Show. Whoops!

Tune in next game — Episode 9: How to sweep the Itasca Wampus Cats. Next episode: How to pluck the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles. Wampus Cats were injured during the filming of The Jasenio Anderson Show. Whoops! (Barry Byers)

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