Lady Gladiators and Gladiators dominate Italy Invitational Tourney

Image: Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) beats the Bobcats down the floor — During a three-day event, the Italy Gladiators and the Lady Gladiators got the job done this past weekend as both teams finished the Italy Invitational Tournament as champions.

Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) beats the Bobcats down the floor — During a three-day event, the Italy Gladiators and the Lady Gladiators got the job done this past weekend as both teams finished the Italy Invitational Tournament as champions. (Barry Byers)

Image: 20 scores 22 — Gladiator De’Andre Sephus(20) climbs for two of his 22-points scored against the Venus J.V. Bulldogs. Sephus also knocked down two 3-pointers during the first round matchup.

20 scores 22 — Gladiator De’Andre Sephus(20) climbs for two of his 22-points scored against the Venus J.V. Bulldogs. Sephus also knocked down two 3-pointers during the first round matchup. (Barry Byers)

Image: Souder scores inside — Gladiator Brandon Souder(15) scores inside for 2-points against the Venus J.V. squad.

Souder scores inside — Gladiator Brandon Souder(15) scores inside for 2-points against the Venus J.V. squad. (Barry Byers)

Image: High level of play — Lady Gladiator Jimesha Reed(40) puts in18-points against the Milford Lady Bulldogs to lead all scores.

High level of play — Lady Gladiator Jimesha Reed(40) puts in18-points against the Milford Lady Bulldogs to lead all scores. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase has the moves — Jase Holden(3) pulls up for a short jump shot to help Italy move past the Frost Polar Bears in round 2 action.

Jase has the moves — Jase Holden(3) pulls up for a short jump shot to help Italy move past the Frost Polar Bears in round 2 action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sephus shoots — Gladiator De’Andre Sephus(20) puts up a 3-point shot during Italy’s win against Frost.

Sephus shoots — Gladiator De’Andre Sephus(20) puts up a 3-point shot during Italy’s win against Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: We got this — IHS cheerleader Anna Viers gives the thumbs up sign during the Gladiators versus Frost game.

We got this — IHS cheerleader Anna Viers gives the thumbs up sign during the Gladiators versus Frost game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Megan holds form — Lady Gladiator Megan Richards(22) knocks down a jumper against the Gateway Lady Gators during the Italy Invitational Tournament championship game.

Megan holds form — Lady Gladiator Megan Richards(22) knocks down a jumper against the Gateway Lady Gators during the Italy Invitational Tournament championship game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rossa rises — Lady Gladiator Kaitlyn Rossa(3) puts up a shot over two Lady Gator defenders.

Rossa rises — Lady Gladiator Kaitlyn Rossa(3) puts up a shot over two Lady Gator defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Copeland breaks — Lady Gladiator point guard Jameka Copeland(5) scores inside in the big game.

Copeland breaks — Lady Gladiator point guard Jameka Copeland(5) scores inside in the big game. (Barry Byers)

Image: In the post — Lady Gladiator Jimesha Reed(40) tries to release a shot over Gateway’s center.

In the post — Lady Gladiator Jimesha Reed(40) tries to release a shot over Gateway’s center. (Barry Byers)

Image: No problem — Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) drills a 3-pointer with a Lady Gator defender closing in.

No problem — Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) drills a 3-pointer with a Lady Gator defender closing in. (Barry Byers)

Image: Business is good — The Lady Gators are unable to stop the aerial assault by Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) & Company.

Business is good — The Lady Gators are unable to stop the aerial assault by Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) & Company. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey banks one — Lady Gladiator Bailey Bumpus(13) banks in 2-points during the Italy Invitational Tournament championship game between Italy and Dallas Gateway.

Bailey banks one — Lady Gladiator Bailey Bumpus(13) banks in 2-points during the Italy Invitational Tournament championship game between Italy and Dallas Gateway. (Barry Byers)

Image: Can’t stop her — Italy’s Jameka Copeland(5) draws a shooting foul against the Gateway defense.

Can’t stop her — Italy’s Jameka Copeland(5) draws a shooting foul against the Gateway defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: The I.I.T. Champions — The Italy lady Gladiators win the 2010 Italy Invitational Tournament and made it look easy.

The I.I.T. Champions — The Italy lady Gladiators win the 2010 Italy Invitational Tournament and made it look easy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Above the rim — During warm-ups, Devonta Simmons displays the hops Italy has this season.

Above the rim — During warm-ups, Devonta Simmons displays the hops Italy has this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Congrats all around — Representing the Lady Gladiators, Megan Richards (Left) was selected to the All-Tournament team along with Jameka Copeland (Right). Kaitlyn Rossa (Middle) earns the Italy Invitational Tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.

Congrats all around — Representing the Lady Gladiators, Megan Richards (Left) was selected to the All-Tournament team along with Jameka Copeland (Right). Kaitlyn Rossa (Middle) earns the Italy Invitational Tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. (Barry Byers)

Image: Still attacking — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) continues to put pressure on Kerens during the tournament championship game.

Still attacking — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) continues to put pressure on Kerens during the tournament championship game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Count it — Heath Clemons(2) was in the air and on his game against Kerens.

Count it — Heath Clemons(2) was in the air and on his game against Kerens. (Barry Byers)

Image: Take that — Jasenio Anderson(11) takes a 3-point shot attempt over the Kerens defense.

Take that — Jasenio Anderson(11) takes a 3-point shot attempt over the Kerens defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: What a shot! — Somehow, Jasenio Anderso(11) finds away to get this shot attempt to fall in during the championship matchup between Italy and Kerens.

What a shot! — Somehow, Jasenio Anderso(11) finds away to get this shot attempt to fall in during the championship matchup between Italy and Kerens. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hug for the hero — Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards gives Devonta Simmons(10) a congratulatory hug after Simmons put in the buzzer-beating basket to help the Gladiators get an overtime victory, 68-67, over the Kerens Bobcats during the 2010 Italy Invitational Tournament championship game.

Hug for the hero — Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards gives Devonta Simmons(10) a congratulatory hug after Simmons put in the buzzer-beating basket to help the Gladiators get an overtime victory, 68-67, over the Kerens Bobcats during the 2010 Italy Invitational Tournament championship game. (Barry Byers)

Image: We the champs! — The Italy Gladiators win the 2010 Italy Invitational Tournament Championship. A three day event, the Gladiators beat the Kerens Bobcats in round 3, 68-67 in overtime, to claim the trophy.

We the champs! — The Italy Gladiators win the 2010 Italy Invitational Tournament Championship. A three day event, the Gladiators beat the Kerens Bobcats in round 3, 68-67 in overtime, to claim the trophy. (Barry Byers)

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