Gladiators fall to Bronte 62-58, repeat as regional finalists

Image: Heath Clemons(2) tries to steer clear of Longhorn defenders — Heath Clemons(2) busts out of the gates against the Bronte Longhorns to help Italy take a 34-31 lead at the halftime break of the regional final game.

Heath Clemons(2) tries to steer clear of Longhorn defenders — Heath Clemons(2) busts out of the gates against the Bronte Longhorns to help Italy take a 34-31 lead at the halftime break of the regional final game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Super Julia — Lady Gladiator softball player Julia McDaniel is caped up and ready to cheer for the boys in Abilene.

Super Julia — Lady Gladiator softball player Julia McDaniel is caped up and ready to cheer for the boys in Abilene. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kort & Kyle — Kort Holley was never far from his father, Italy head coach Kyle Holley, during their games this season.

Kort & Kyle — Kort Holley was never far from his father, Italy head coach Kyle Holley, during their games this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Melissa & May May — Melissa Souder holds her tuckered out baby girl, Mayson, before Italy’s 2nd game of the regional tournament.

Melissa & May May — Melissa Souder holds her tuckered out baby girl, Mayson, before Italy’s 2nd game of the regional tournament. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jameka & Kyonne — Lady Gladiators Jameka Copeland and Kyonne Birdsong help the boys during their pre-game warm-up.

Jameka & Kyonne — Lady Gladiators Jameka Copeland and Kyonne Birdsong help the boys during their pre-game warm-up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Study the defense — Jasenio Anderson(11) studies the stout Bronte defense searching for an opening.

Study the defense — Jasenio Anderson(11) studies the stout Bronte defense searching for an opening. (Barry Byers)

Image: John goes up — Italy’s John Isaac(10) hits a jumper from the corner against Bronte.

John goes up — Italy’s John Isaac(10) hits a jumper from the corner against Bronte. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton in the lane — Campbell gets off a jump shot in the lane.

Colton in the lane — Campbell gets off a jump shot in the lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator down — Gladiator Larry Mayberry(13) hits the floor as Bronte’s Kainon Irons(2) stands with the ball. Italy’s John Isaac(10) and Colton Campbell(5) try to slow the resulting Bronte fast break.

Gladiator down — Gladiator Larry Mayberry(13) hits the floor as Bronte’s Kainon Irons(2) stands with the ball. Italy’s John Isaac(10) and Colton Campbell(5) try to slow the resulting Bronte fast break. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Ashcraft — Gladiator Ryan Ashcraft(4) surveys the herd of Bronte Longhorns.

Ryan Ashcraft — Gladiator Ryan Ashcraft(4) surveys the herd of Bronte Longhorns. (Barry Byers)

Image: Campbell pulls up — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) attempts a shot over the Longhorn defense.

Campbell pulls up — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) attempts a shot over the Longhorn defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rossa cheers — IHS cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa tries to get the Gladiator fans fired-up for Italy’s second game of the regional tournament in Abilene.

Rossa cheers — IHS cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa tries to get the Gladiator fans fired-up for Italy’s second game of the regional tournament in Abilene. (Barry Byers)

Image: Anderson climbs — Jasenio Anderson(11) takes it to the rim with authority for 2-points.

Anderson climbs — Jasenio Anderson(11) takes it to the rim with authority for 2-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Campbell scores — Gladiator Colton Campbell(5) catches the Longhorn defense grazing and quickly rises for 2-points.

Campbell scores — Gladiator Colton Campbell(5) catches the Longhorn defense grazing and quickly rises for 2-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: John covered — Italy’s John Isaac(10) gets cornered by two Longhorns in the 2nd half.

John covered — Italy’s John Isaac(10) gets cornered by two Longhorns in the 2nd half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sephus fouled — Italy’s De’Andre Sephus creates a turnover and then gets fouled by a Bronte defender on his way to the goal.

Sephus fouled — Italy’s De’Andre Sephus creates a turnover and then gets fouled by a Bronte defender on his way to the goal. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath & Jasenio — Heath Clemons(2) steps to the line for two critical free throws.

Heath & Jasenio — Heath Clemons(2) steps to the line for two critical free throws. (Barry Byers)

Image: The three ball — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) shoots a 3-pointer in an effort to rally the Gladiators.

The three ball — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) shoots a 3-pointer in an effort to rally the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Looking for gaps — Italy head coach Kyle Holley explains to his offense how to create openings in the Longhorn defense.

Looking for gaps — Italy head coach Kyle Holley explains to his offense how to create openings in the Longhorn defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Season ticking away — Trailing 59-55 with 42.77 left, the Gladiators huddle with their coaching staff to talk strategy.

Season ticking away — Trailing 59-55 with 42.77 left, the Gladiators huddle with their coaching staff to talk strategy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Willie & Bobby — Jasenio Anderson’s father, Willie Henderson, and Bobby Walker sense that the Gladiators’ quest for State is slipping away.

Willie & Bobby — Jasenio Anderson’s father, Willie Henderson, and Bobby Walker sense that the Gladiators’ quest for State is slipping away. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taking a deep breath — With the game on the line, Colton Campbell(5) goes to the line as Jasenio Anderson(11) looks on.

Taking a deep breath — With the game on the line, Colton Campbell(5) goes to the line as Jasenio Anderson(11) looks on. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio scores — Anderson pushes his way into the middle of the Longhorn defense to put up a shot.

Jasenio scores — Anderson pushes his way into the middle of the Longhorn defense to put up a shot. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tearful end — Kelli Strickland and Lexie Miller get consoled after Italy’s 62-58 regional final loss to the Bronte Longhorns on Saturday in Abilene.

Tearful end — Kelli Strickland and Lexie Miller get consoled after Italy’s 62-58 regional final loss to the Bronte Longhorns on Saturday in Abilene. (Barry Byers)

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