Additional photos of the Italy Gladiators in Dallas

Barry Byers Posted January 3, 2011 3:59pm Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: The Gladiators make their way to the American Airlines Center — Italy Gladiator basketball players Ryan Ashcraft and Colton Campbell, along with their head coach Aidan Callahan, take a moment to absorb the fact their about to play inside the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks. — The Gladiators make their way to the American Airlines Center — Italy Gladiator basketball players Ryan Ashcraft and Colton Campbell, along with their head coach Aidan Callahan, take a moment to absorb the fact their about to play inside the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks. (Barry Byers)

This italyneotribune.com article contains additional photographs documenting the Italy Gladiators and their recent journey into Dallas to play a basketball game against the Mineral Wells Rams inside the American Airlines Center. After a post-game meal, Gladiator Nation returned to the AAC to watch the Dallas Mavericks take on the San Antonio Spurs….what a day!

Gladiators conquer Dallas

Go Gladiators!

Rossa’s all smiles — Italy High School cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa stands tall outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas before entering the hanger. (Barry Byers)

Ready to cheer — Italy High School cheerleader Meagan Hooker is ready to make some noise inside the AAC in Dallas. (Barry Byers)

This is a trip! — Gladiators Ryan Ashcraft and Brandon Souder get dressed in the locker room before warming up on the Dallas Mavericks’ home court. (Barry Byers)

“Cheese” and nachos — IHS cheerleaders Casandra Jeffords and Taylor Turner enjoy a snack in the stands before getting their cheer on for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator girlies — Italy’s Morgan Cockerham, Anna Viers and team videographer Katie Byers are having fun inside the AAC before the game. (Barry Byers)

Blown away — Gladiators Jase Holden, Brandon Souder and Colton Campbell try to get a handle on the moment before warming up on the Mavericks’ court for the first time. (Barry Byers)

Plenty of airspace — The Gladiators are moments away from stepping onto the Dallas Mavericks runway. (Barry Byers)

How cool is this? — The Gladiators perform their pre-game chants at center court atop the Dallas Mavericks logo. (Barry Byers)

Just like the Mavs — Gladiators Jase Holden and Jasenio Anderson get loose during the warmup. (Barry Byers)

Adrenalin rush — Italy’s Brandon Souder takes a lane shot during the practice session. (Barry Byers)

Cole’s jamming — Italy’s Cole Hopkins rocks the AAC rim before the game against the Mineral Wells Rams. (Barry Byers)

Dirk-like form — Resembling the Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki, Colton Campbell(5) gets off a shot as Cole Hopkins(21) heads toward the basket. (Barry Byers)

Cheerleaders cheering — The IHS cheerleaders keep the cheers coming from under the basket inside the AAC. (Barry Byers)

Ashcraft underneath — Italy’s Ryan Ashcraft(4) goes up for a bucket with Mineral Wells’ Matt Tincher(24) defending. (Barry Byers)

Passing to the wing — Heath Clemons(2) awaits a pass from teammate Jasenio Anderson(11). (Barry Byers)

Good job — Jase Holden(3) gets a low-five from teammate Brandon Souder as he exits the floor. (Barry Byers)

Sure shot — Jasenio Anderson(11) rolls in a free-throw against Mineral Wells. (Barry Byers)

Heath’s exhausted — Gladiator senior Heath Clemons(2) leaves the Mavericks’ court taking a lifetime of memories with him as the IHS cheerleaders congratulate him on a hard fought game. (Barry Byers)

Cheer crazies — Morgan Cockerham and Anna Viers lift fellow IHS cheerleader Beverly Barnhart after the game inside the American Airlines Center. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s cheerleaders — Mary Tate, Taylor Turner, Meagan Hooker, Casandra Jeffords, Kaitlyn Rossa, Sierra Harris, Sa’Kendra Norwood, Beverly Barnhart, Morgan Cockerham and Anna Viers. (Barry Byers)

Still slamming — Gladiator Nation fills up a nearby El Fenix® restaurant and slams down a few enchiladas after the Italy and Mineral Wells game. (Barry Byers)

Funning around — Larry Mayberry, Sr. enhances Erwin Green’s picture taking outside the American Airlines Center before the Mavs versus Spurs game. (Barry Byers)

Not in Italy anymore — Gladiators’ players, cheerleaders, coaches and fans watch the larger than life screen hanging on the American Airline Center hanger advertising the Dallas Mavericks’ game against the San Antonio Spurs. (Barry Byers)