Italy J.V. Gladiators vs. Rice:
Rice — After leading 27-21 at halftime, Italy’s J.V. Gladiators manage to stay on the offensive in the second half. With the score 34-25, Darol Mayberry’s 3-point attempt rattles out but Haden Woods knocks down a jumper from the top of the lane to give Italy an 11-point lead, 36-25, with 4:58 remaining in the third.

Trevon Robertson puts in a fast break layup to extend Italy’s lead to thirteen, 38-25. Robertson attacks the Rice defense again drawing a shooting foul. Robertson hits 1-of-2 and Italy leads 39-25.

The Bulldogs make it 39-27 but a pass from Robertson to [Name Withheld], who scores from under the basket, gives the J.V. Gladiators a 41-27 advantage. Italy adds another bucket before the end of the quarter and take a 43-27 lead into the fourth.

Point guard Eric Carson pulls up at the left elbow and swishes the jumper to give the J.V Gladiators a 45-27 lead early in the fourth quarter. Italy’s Mike Clark grabs an offensive rebound inside and scores the put back to put the J.V Gladiators up by twenty, 47-27.

Rice earns a trip to the foul line and makes 1-of-2, 47-28. Italy’s Zain Byers grabs an offensive board and quickly bounce passes behind the pack to Robertson near the free-throw line who spots up for the deuce. Italy leads 49-28 with 4:30 left in the game.

[Name Withheld] steals the inbound pass from the Bulldogs and punishes them with an instant layup, 51-28 Italy. Robertson passes over to a waiting [Name Withheld] who knocks down a 3-pointer from the left corner, 54-28 Italy on top with 2:30 remaining. After a Rice bucket, Paul Harris gets the ball to teammate Jalarnce Jamal Lewis who fades away for the score, 56-30.

Harris grabs a defensive rebound and passes ahead to Woods who scores the fast break layup despite two Bulldog defenders nipping at his heels, 58-30. Clark then scores on a mini drive into the lane to help the Italy J.V. Gladiators finish Rice 60-30.

Italy Gladiators vs. Rice:
Rice scores first but a turnarund bankshot by Italy’s Heath Clemons ties the game 2-2. With Italy up 4-2, Larry Mayberry battles inside for an offensive rebound and draws a foul on the put-back attempt. Mayberry makes both and Italy leads 6-2 with 5:48 to play in the opening quarter. Jasenio Anderson drives into the lane and dishes to Mayberry for the bucket, 8-2 Italy.

The Gladiators continue to pressure Rice keeping the Bulldogs penned down. By the 5:09 mark of the second quarter, Italy leads 22-14 when Mayberry records a steal and passes ahead to Anderson who banks in a layup to make the score 24-14. Anderson attacks the rim again to give the Gladiators a 26-14 lead.

Anderson and Ryan Ashcraft create a 2-on-1 opportunity and Anderson passes to Ashcraft who passes back to Anderson for the lay-in, 28-14 Italy. Rice goes 1-of-2 from the line but Clemons puts in a 3-pointer to make the score 31-15 and the Gladiators begin to distance themselves from the pack.

Rice scores underneath and then Jase Holden gives an assist to Colton Campbell who finishes the fast break with a soaring layup, 33-17. Cole Hopkins steals the rock and passes to Holden who leaps and finishes on the break, 35-17 Italy.

With 1:01 left before halftime, Campbell is fouled trying to finish the fast break. Campbell swishes both charity shots and Italy leads 37-17. De’Andre Sephus grabs an offensive rebound then passes to Clemons who passes to Campbell for a spot up jumper in the right corner, 39-17 Italy. The last few seconds run off and Italy leads during intermission.

Gladiator head coach, Aidan Callahan, calls off the dogs and Italy slows down their offensive attack against the Bulldogs. Rice scores first to begin the second half and then hits 1-of-1 from the line to make the score 39-20. Rice adds another basket but Anderson retaliates with a 3-pointer from the right corner to make the score 42-22 at the 5:45 mark of the third quarter.

With the score 45-22, Rice makes a strong move in the paint to draw closer, 45-24. Campbell answers with running one-hander down the right baseline, 47-24 Italy holds their ground. Rice answers to make the score 47-26 but Campbell fires right back to keep the Gladiators moving forward, 51-26, with 1:00 left in the third. Neither side can register any more points and the quarter ends.

After 2:40 pass without a basket, Holden pulls up for a jumper at the top of the lane, 53-26 Italy leads. With the score 55-26, Campbell again finishes on the fast break with a layup, 57-26 Italy. Campbell then steals Rice’s inbound pass and lays in a quick bucket, 59-26.

Hopkins passes to De’Andre Rettig who powers toward the basket for a goal, 61-31 with 2:52 still to play. Anderson manages one final score to seal the deal and Italy wins 63-31.

Go Gladiators!