Gladiators continue on! Defeated Clyde Eula 52-51, play Bronte next

Image: Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) puts in 20-points over Clyde Eula — Despite picking up two offensive charging calls, Italy’s Jasenio Anderson continued to pound the Eula defense in the paint.

Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) puts in 20-points over Clyde Eula — Despite picking up two offensive charging calls, Italy’s Jasenio Anderson continued to pound the Eula defense in the paint. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase warms up — Jase Holden(33) is eager to get the party started against Clyde Eula.

Jase warms up — Jase Holden(33) is eager to get the party started against Clyde Eula. (Barry Byers)

Image: Watching the team — Head Coach Kyle Holley has a million things running through his mind before the Eula game.

Watching the team — Head Coach Kyle Holley has a million things running through his mind before the Eula game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Getting ready — Sierra Harris paints an Italy player’s number on Jameka Copeland’s face as our fans get decorated before the game.

Getting ready — Sierra Harris paints an Italy player’s number on Jameka Copeland’s face as our fans get decorated before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rowdies relax — Julia McDaniel, Ross Enriquez, Breyanna Beets and Donald Walton chill before the game.

Rowdies relax — Julia McDaniel, Ross Enriquez, Breyanna Beets and Donald Walton chill before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tracy has heart — Gladiator fans show signs of support.

Tracy has heart — Gladiator fans show signs of support. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defense! — IHS Cheerleaders kept the decibel count up during the game.

Defense! — IHS Cheerleaders kept the decibel count up during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Snoop gets thru — Heath Clemons overcomes the Pirate height advantage with athletic prowess to score.

Snoop gets thru — Heath Clemons overcomes the Pirate height advantage with athletic prowess to score. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy hangs tough — John Isaac and the Italy Gladiators came from behind to take the lead. The Pirates kept the game close, but Italy’s determination and skill proved to be too much for Eula.

Italy hangs tough — John Isaac and the Italy Gladiators came from behind to take the lead. The Pirates kept the game close, but Italy’s determination and skill proved to be too much for Eula. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jas challenges — Anderson puts the fire to Irons. If you can’t take the heat , go home.

Jas challenges — Anderson puts the fire to Irons. If you can’t take the heat , go home. (Barry Byers)

Image: Up and in — Jasenio Anderson times his jump for 2-points to out leap 6’ 5" Kainon Irons.

Up and in — Jasenio Anderson times his jump for 2-points to out leap 6’ 5" Kainon Irons. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fans on feet — Gladiator fans were in full force in Abilene to support their team.

Fans on feet — Gladiator fans were in full force in Abilene to support their team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio at the line — Beast goes to the line late in the 2nd period to help give Italy a halftime lead.

Jasenio at the line — Beast goes to the line late in the 2nd period to help give Italy a halftime lead. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton Campbell — Colton Campbell explodes out of frame to the rim for a lay up.

Colton Campbell — Colton Campbell explodes out of frame to the rim for a lay up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath on the side — Snoop taking care of business hitting 2 of his 9 points.

Heath on the side — Snoop taking care of business hitting 2 of his 9 points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry battles bigs — Mayberry defends his territory and drops in 2 points.

Larry battles bigs — Mayberry defends his territory and drops in 2 points. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Beast is back — After being fouled while driving to the hoop, Jasenio returns to the foul line for a change to increase Italy’s lead.

The Beast is back — After being fouled while driving to the hoop, Jasenio returns to the foul line for a change to increase Italy’s lead. (Barry Byers)

Image: Team Italy — With a 46-40 lead and 5:04 left in the game, the Gladiators rely on each other to hold on to beat Eula 52-51.

Team Italy — With a 46-40 lead and 5:04 left in the game, the Gladiators rely on each other to hold on to beat Eula 52-51. (Barry Byers)

Image: Snoop saves the day — Gladiator Heath Clemons hit 5-of-6 free throws in the 4th quarter, including the game winning layup, to seal the victory for Italy.

Snoop saves the day — Gladiator Heath Clemons hit 5-of-6 free throws in the 4th quarter, including the game winning layup, to seal the victory for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Regional Semi-Final Champions — Out of a field of 185 teams, the Italy Gladiators qualified for the Elite Eight by beating the Eula Pirates in Abilene on Friday.

Regional Semi-Final Champions — Out of a field of 185 teams, the Italy Gladiators qualified for the Elite Eight by beating the Eula Pirates in Abilene on Friday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kristi & Kyle — Head Coach Kyle Holley gets a warm embrace from wife Kristi after the big win over Clyde Eula.

Kristi & Kyle — Head Coach Kyle Holley gets a warm embrace from wife Kristi after the big win over Clyde Eula. (Barry Byers)

Image: Karley & Kaitlyn — Karley Nelson and IHS Cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa love their boys.

Karley & Kaitlyn — Karley Nelson and IHS Cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa love their boys. (Barry Byers)

Image: T-riffic! — Anna and Katie sport shirts printed especially for them by Lil’ Dab Embrodery in Italy.

T-riffic! — Anna and Katie sport shirts printed especially for them by Lil’ Dab Embrodery in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Enough said — Halee Turner is an Italy fan through and through.

Enough said — Halee Turner is an Italy fan through and through. (Barry Byers)

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