Tradition Restored: McDonald repaints 1997 State Champs basketball

Image: Stacy McDonald repaints 1997 State Champs basketball mural — The 1997 State Champs basketball homage originally painted by Stevan McKey to honor the Class 2A Italy Boys Basketball Champions was recently retouched by current Lady Gladiator head basketball coach Stacy McDonald.

Stacy McDonald repaints 1997 State Champs basketball mural — The 1997 State Champs basketball homage originally painted by Stevan McKey to honor the Class 2A Italy Boys Basketball Champions was recently retouched by current Lady Gladiator head basketball coach Stacy McDonald. (Barry Byers)

Image: Leaving their mark — Artist Steven McKee left his mark back in 1997 as did the Italy Gladiators Boys Basketball team who won the Class 2A State Basketball Championship. The only State basketball championship in Italy High School’s history.

Leaving their mark — Artist Steven McKee left his mark back in 1997 as did the Italy Gladiators Boys Basketball team who won the Class 2A State Basketball Championship. The only State basketball championship in Italy High School’s history. (Barry Byers)

Image: Watching over the gym — The basketball mural is practically bouncing off the wall after current Lady Gladiator head basketball coach Stacy McDonald repainted the image. The basketball continues to inspire young Lady Gladiator and Gladiator players. A reminder that it’s possible if you work hard for it and believe in yourself and in your teammates.

Watching over the gym — The basketball mural is practically bouncing off the wall after current Lady Gladiator head basketball coach Stacy McDonald repainted the image. The basketball continues to inspire young Lady Gladiator and Gladiator players. A reminder that it’s possible if you work hard for it and believe in yourself and in your teammates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Whatever it takes — During their playoff run, the scaffolding can be seen in the background as coach Stacy McDonald’s Lady Gladiator Basketball team scrimmaged against the 8th Grade Boys.

Whatever it takes — During their playoff run, the scaffolding can be seen in the background as coach Stacy McDonald’s Lady Gladiator Basketball team scrimmaged against the 8th Grade Boys.

Image: Paint bleeds gold — Even the paint bleeds gold. “I bleed gold,” was a phrase used by Keith Davis, a guard on the 1997 Boys State Championship team, who spoke at a Gladiator pep rally earlier in the school year.

Paint bleeds gold — Even the paint bleeds gold. “I bleed gold,” was a phrase used by Keith Davis, a guard on the 1997 Boys State Championship team, who spoke at a Gladiator pep rally earlier in the school year. (Barry Byers)

Return to story