Grandview – The Italy Gladiators played the Little River Academy Bees Saturday morning to prepare for their upcoming Area game next week. Italy struggled in the 1st period against the larger Academy players. The Bees dominated the boards on both ends of the court. Italy trailed at the end of the 1st period 16-4.
 
The Gladiators began to find the goal and outscored the Bees 21-17 in the 2nd period. When the first half ended, Academy’s lead had been cut 33-25.
 
Italy’s deficit diminished in the 3rd period when they scored 17 and held Academy to 15. Academy’s early lead had been cut to only 6 points.
 
The battle continued in the 4th period. With 1:28 remaining in regular play, John Isaac hit a jumper to tie the game 63-63. A Bee miscue gave the ball back to the Gladiators with 1:08 on the clock. At the buzzer, Jasenio Anderson’s base line shot missed and sent the game into overtime.
 
In the first over time the teams see sawed back and forth, shot for shot. Italy held the ball, waiting for the last shot until there were 10 seconds on the clock. Jasenio Anderson took the shot and was fouled, but both his free throws missed their mark. Academy drove down court hoping to drop one in but John Isaac blocked the shot at the buzzer. The overtime ended with the teams tied at 69.
 
Both teams stepped up on defense in the 2nd over time. Jasenio Anderson scored all Italy points in the period. Italy again held the ball and waited for the last shot. This was Italy’s second chance to win the game, but the shot missed the mark. The period ended in a 74-74 tie.
 
In the final overtime, Anderson and Isaac hit jumpers, but it was too little too late. Anderson tried a long 3 pointer to tie the game, but was off to the left of the goal. When the final buzzer sounded, Advantage came up with the 81-78 win.
Scoring for Italy:
 
Jasenio Anderson – 28
John Isaac – 20
Colton Campbell – 8
Heath Clemons – 6
Jase Holden – 5
Oscar Gonzales – 3
Larry Mayberry 3
Desmond Anderson 3
Dan Crownover – 1
Aaron Thomas – 1
 
Italy won bi-district with a first round bye.