Italy Gladiators enjoy American Airlines Center experience in Dallas

Image: Gladiators challenged Rams inside the American Airlines Center — Jasenio Anderson(11) splits two defenders on his way to the basket while Cole Hopkins(21) moves in for a possible rebound during a matchup between the Italy Gladiators and the Mineral Wells Rams inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thursday.

Gladiators challenged Rams inside the American Airlines Center — Jasenio Anderson(11) splits two defenders on his way to the basket while Cole Hopkins(21) moves in for a possible rebound during a matchup between the Italy Gladiators and the Mineral Wells Rams inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thursday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Stopping traffic — Italy Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood and team member Ryan Ashcraft are having a blast just crossing the street as players, coaches and cheerleaders make their way to the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Stopping traffic — Italy Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood and team member Ryan Ashcraft are having a blast just crossing the street as players, coaches and cheerleaders make their way to the American Airlines Center in Dallas. (Barry Byers)

Image: At the entrance — Both Italy’s and Mineral Wells’ faithful gather at the entrance of the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

At the entrance — Both Italy’s and Mineral Wells’ faithful gather at the entrance of the American Airlines Center in Dallas. (Barry Byers)

Image: Proud Gramma — Gladiator Gramma Jody Cooley waves from the upper deck of the American Airlines Center down to her grandson Brandon Souder who plays for the Italy Gladiators.

Proud Gramma — Gladiator Gramma Jody Cooley waves from the upper deck of the American Airlines Center down to her grandson Brandon Souder who plays for the Italy Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: In awe — Players, coaches and fans alike were in awe of the inside of the American Airlines Center knowing the NBA’s greatest players have played there.

In awe — Players, coaches and fans alike were in awe of the inside of the American Airlines Center knowing the NBA’s greatest players have played there. (Barry Byers)

Image: Just like the pros — Gladiator Devonta Simmons slams on the same goal that the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs would be slamming later in the evening.

Just like the pros — Gladiator Devonta Simmons slams on the same goal that the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs would be slamming later in the evening. (Barry Byers)

Image: Leading the way — Gladiator coaches Craig Bales, Josh Ward, Aidan Callahan and Larry Mayberry, Sr. prepare to take the Dallas Mavericks’ home court with their players.

Leading the way — Gladiator coaches Craig Bales, Josh Ward, Aidan Callahan and Larry Mayberry, Sr. prepare to take the Dallas Mavericks’ home court with their players. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ready to go — Italy Gladiators’ hoop-stars are about to charge onto the Dallas Mavericks home floor and take on the Mineral Wells Rams: Top row: Heath Clemons, Jase Holden, Devonta Simmons, Brandon Souder, Cole Hopkins, Colton Campbell and Larry Mayberry, Jr. Bottom row Jasenio Anderson, De’Andre Sephus and Ryan Ashcraft.

Ready to go — Italy Gladiators’ hoop-stars are about to charge onto the Dallas Mavericks home floor and take on the Mineral Wells Rams: Top row: Heath Clemons, Jase Holden, Devonta Simmons, Brandon Souder, Cole Hopkins, Colton Campbell and Larry Mayberry, Jr. Bottom row Jasenio Anderson, De’Andre Sephus and Ryan Ashcraft. (Barry Byers)

Image: In the paint — Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) powers his way up to the goal as teammate Jasenio Anderson(11) looks on.

In the paint — Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) powers his way up to the goal as teammate Jasenio Anderson(11) looks on. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton gets open — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) tries to bank one in against the Rams’ defense.

Colton gets open — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) tries to bank one in against the Rams’ defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clear for takeoff — Gladiator Devonta Simmons(10) rises over Ram defender Matt Tincher(24).

Clear for takeoff — Gladiator Devonta Simmons(10) rises over Ram defender Matt Tincher(24). (Barry Byers)

Image: Beast vs Rams — Italy’s Jasenio “Beast” Anderson(11) rams his way thru the Mineral Wells defense.

Beast vs Rams — Italy’s Jasenio “Beast” Anderson(11) rams his way thru the Mineral Wells defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath at the line — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) puts in a free-throw as teammates Colton Campbell(5) and Jase Holden(3) get ready to rebound.

Heath at the line — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) puts in a free-throw as teammates Colton Campbell(5) and Jase Holden(3) get ready to rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: FASTEN SEAT BELTS — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) encounters some turbulence while flying into the lane inside the American Airlines Center.

FASTEN SEAT BELTS — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) encounters some turbulence while flying into the lane inside the American Airlines Center. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s go Gladiators! — Italy High School cheerleaders Mary Tate, Casandra Jeffords, Meagan Hooker and Kaitlyn Rossa bring the spirit much like the Mavs Dancers.

Let’s go Gladiators! — Italy High School cheerleaders Mary Tate, Casandra Jeffords, Meagan Hooker and Kaitlyn Rossa bring the spirit much like the Mavs Dancers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ready for takeoff — Italy’s Heath Clemons(2) prepares to takeoff and fly around Mineral Wells defender Hunter Fincher(23).

Ready for takeoff — Italy’s Heath Clemons(2) prepares to takeoff and fly around Mineral Wells defender Hunter Fincher(23). (Barry Byers)

Image: Swoosh! — Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) protects the basket, Jasenio Anderson(11) knocks down a free-throw and the IHS cheerleaders are set to cheer.

Swoosh! — Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) protects the basket, Jasenio Anderson(11) knocks down a free-throw and the IHS cheerleaders are set to cheer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ball in flight — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) makes use of the available airspace inside the American Airlines Center and release a shot over Mineral Wells’ Dillon Wilkins(30) as Ryan Ashcraft(4) battles Jacob Velasquez(3) for position.

Ball in flight — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) makes use of the available airspace inside the American Airlines Center and release a shot over Mineral Wells’ Dillon Wilkins(30) as Ryan Ashcraft(4) battles Jacob Velasquez(3) for position. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mayberry scores — Italy’s De’Andre Sephus(20) clears a landing while Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) executes a helicopter spin to score 2-points over Mineral Wells’ Skylar Flaska(34)

Mayberry scores — Italy’s De’Andre Sephus(20) clears a landing while Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) executes a helicopter spin to score 2-points over Mineral Wells’ Skylar Flaska(34) (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase takes a jump shot — Gladiator Jase Holden(3) pulls up for a jumper from the left elbow.

Jase takes a jump shot — Gladiator Jase Holden(3) pulls up for a jumper from the left elbow. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton concentrates — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) exhales before shooting a free-throw at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Colton concentrates — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) exhales before shooting a free-throw at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. (Barry Byers)

Image: Good times — Italy Gladiator head coach Aidan Callahan shares the excitement of the day’s events with his wife Marin as the couple stand outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas before watching the Dallas Mavericks play the San Antonio Spurs.

Good times — Italy Gladiator head coach Aidan Callahan shares the excitement of the day’s events with his wife Marin as the couple stand outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas before watching the Dallas Mavericks play the San Antonio Spurs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Love is in the air — Gladiator assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr. and his wife Dorothy are enjoying the moment in front of the American Airlines Center before the Dallas Mavericks versus the San Antonio Spurs game.

Love is in the air — Gladiator assistant coach Larry Mayberry, Sr. and his wife Dorothy are enjoying the moment in front of the American Airlines Center before the Dallas Mavericks versus the San Antonio Spurs game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Strength in numbers — The Italy Gladiators and the IHS cheerleaders pose around the Mavericks’ logo at center court following the game: Back row Heath Clemons, Ryan Ashcraft, Jase Holden, Larry Mayberry, Jr., Cole Hopkins, Devonta Simmons, Brandon Souder, Colton Campbell, De’Andre Sephus and Jasenio Anderson. Front row Mary Tate, Taylor Turner, Meagan Hooker, Casandra Jeffords, Kaitlyn Rossa, Sierra Harris, Sa’Kendra Norwood, Beverly Barnhart, Morgan Cockerham and Anna Viers.

Strength in numbers — The Italy Gladiators and the IHS cheerleaders pose around the Mavericks’ logo at center court following the game: Back row Heath Clemons, Ryan Ashcraft, Jase Holden, Larry Mayberry, Jr., Cole Hopkins, Devonta Simmons, Brandon Souder, Colton Campbell, De’Andre Sephus and Jasenio Anderson. Front row Mary Tate, Taylor Turner, Meagan Hooker, Casandra Jeffords, Kaitlyn Rossa, Sierra Harris, Sa’Kendra Norwood, Beverly Barnhart, Morgan Cockerham and Anna Viers. (Barry Byers)

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