Midlothian, Texas — It seemed that most of Italy’s townspeople showed up in Midlothian to support the Gladiators, therefore, this article is for the few that couldn’t make it.

Inhale — The Gladiators began with a 4-0 lead after an offensive rebound and put back by Larry Mayberry and a jump shot by John Isaac. Gateway answered with 7 straight points to go up 7-4. Italy’s Heath Clemons was fouled attempting a 3-pointer and was awarded 3 free throw tries. Clemons made good on 2-of the-3 freebies to keep the game tight, 7-6.

Gateway scored on their next possession and then Jasenio Anderson inbounded to Isaac for an Italy score, 9-8 Gateway. Anderson then stole a Gator pass and drove in for a layup to put Italy back in front 10-9. Gateway quickly retook the lead 11-10 and then Italy took it right back thanks to a steal by Clemons who passed ahead to Issac for the go-ahead points, 12-11 Italy.

Gateways 6’5" Center Jimmy Sykes was fouled inside while scoring. Sykes made the and-1 to put Gateway back in front 14-12. The Gators went up 16-12 when Italy’s Anderson stole the ball yet again and passed downcourt to Isaac to make the game 16-14. Sykes was fouled again at the 1:20 mark of the 1st quarter and converted 2 free throws. Likewise, Italy’s Anderson was fouled in the act of shooting and put in his 2 free throws to make the score 18-16.

Gateway went up 20-16 but Italy scored in the final 0:12 to stay within reach of the Gators as the 1st quarter ended with Gateway on top 20-18.

Italy’s Jase Holden drilled a 3-pointer to start the 2nd quarter to give the Gladiators a 21-20 edge. Anderson gave Italy a 23-20 lead but a free throw by Sykes made the score 23-21. Sykes scored again, with a jumper, to tie the game 23-23 with 6:40 remaining in the 1st half.

Italy’s Colton Campbell responded for the Gladiators by connecting on a 3-pointer with 5:57 left, 26-23 Italy. Holden then stole the ball away from Gateway and leaped toward the basket for a score to give the Gladiators some breathing room, 28-23. Gateway battled back and pulled within 1-point, 28-27. Campbell knocked down another 3-pointer for Italy to keep distance between the two teams, 31-27 with 3:52 left.

Isaac then drove the left baseline and scored inside to give Italy a 33-27 advantage. Holden hauled in a transition pass that was over the reach of Isaac and put in the layup to give Italy a 35-27 lead. Anderson added 2 more free throws and then gathered in an offensive rebound and quickly put it in the hoop to give Italy a 39-27 lead. Anderson followed with another layup to put the Gladiators up 41-27.

Isaac tried to take a charge against Gateway’s big man but instead was called for a blocking foul. Sykes made the first free throw but missed the second. Gateway rebounded the miss and Italy’s Isaac blocked the ensuing Gator shot attempt. Italy had control of the ball and ran off the final 34 seconds before Anderson passed to Holden who was camped out on the right wing. Holden swished a 3-pointer to give the Gladiators a 44-31 halftime lead. — Exhale.

Both sides traded baskets to start the 3rd, but Italy got stuck on 46-points for what seemed an eternity allowing Gateway to inch back into the game, 6’5" to be exact, with Sykes leading the Gator comeback. With the score 46-41, Isaac put in two free throws to end the Gladiator drought but both teams continued to pour in points.

A Gateway jumper made the score 48-43 but an Anderson layup gave Italy a 50-43 lead. Then a steal by Anderson and the finish gave the Gladiators a 52-43 lead. Gateway scored but a pass from Italy’s Ryan Ashcraft to Campbell produced a layup and a 54-45 Gladiator advantage.

Anderson stole the ball yet again, and again, drove in for a layup to give the Gladiators a 56-45 lead. Gateway made the score 56-47 but back-to-back-to-back drives to the basket by Anderson produced 6 straight points giving Italy a 62-47 lead with 1:01 left in the 3rd quarter. Sykes scored a 3-point play the old-fashion way to make the score 62-50 going into the final quarter.

Gateway scored the first 3-points to start the 4th but a Clemons pass to Isaac on the fast break kept Italy ahead 64-53. At 64-55, Gateway created pressure for the Gladiators but Anderson quickly put Italy’s fan at ease when he passed ahead to Clemons who laid in the bucket to make the score 66-55. An Anderson free throw made the score 67-55 and then Clemons scored again to give Italy a 69-55 feeling of comfort.

The Gators added a free throw but Italy went on a 7-point run capped off by another Anderson steal that resulted in a Campbell rebound and pass to Isaac, giving the Gladiators a 76-56 lead.

Gateway made it 76-58 but an Isaac free throw and 2 more by Anderson gave Italy a 79-58 lead. An Anderson pass to Clemons made the score 81-58 followed by a pass from Ashcraft to Clemons to put the Gladiators up 83-62, with just 1:30 left. Italy went on to win the 1A Regional Quarterfinal Championship 88-68 over Dallas Gateway, defeating the Gators for the 3rd time this season.

Italy will play Clyde Eula for the Regional Semi-Final Championship in Abilene on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. We’ll see all you Gladiator fans in Abilene!

UIL Bracket

Gladiator scoring:

Gateway high point:

Scoring by quarters:

Italy: 18-26-18-26
Gateway: 20-11-19-18

Special thanks to Rita Garza and Karen Mathiowetz.

Go Gladiators!