Gladiators & Lady Gladiators take on the Axtell Longhorns

Image: Italy’s Lady Gladiators try to fence in the Axtell Lady Longhorns — The Lady Gladiators sport matching shirts with their nicknames on the back before the start of their game against the Axtell Lady Longhorns.

Italy’s Lady Gladiators try to fence in the Axtell Lady Longhorns — The Lady Gladiators sport matching shirts with their nicknames on the back before the start of their game against the Axtell Lady Longhorns. (Barry Byers)

Image: Relentless — Italy J.V. Gladiator T.J. Cockran(33) scoots his way into the lane and shoots his way to game high 18-points.

Relentless — Italy J.V. Gladiator T.J. Cockran(33) scoots his way into the lane and shoots his way to game high 18-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jalarnce Lewis(20) — Italy J.V. Gladiator Jamal Jalarnce Lewis(20) flies in for two-pints against Axtell’s J.V. team.

Jalarnce Lewis(20) — Italy J.V. Gladiator Jamal Jalarnce Lewis(20) flies in for two-pints against Axtell’s J.V. team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shelbi comes thru — Lady Gladiator Shelbi Gilley(4) scores two of her seven first-half points against Axtell.

Shelbi comes thru — Lady Gladiator Shelbi Gilley(4) scores two of her seven first-half points against Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rossa’s surrounded — Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) rises up for a shot over a herd of Lady Longhorn defenders.

Rossa’s surrounded — Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) rises up for a shot over a herd of Lady Longhorn defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Keep shooting — Megan Richards(22) launches a three-pointer for the Lady Gladiators.

Keep shooting — Megan Richards(22) launches a three-pointer for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shelbi’s fouled — Shelbi Gilley(4) gets fouled inside and then goes to the line and hits 1-of-2 foul shots to score the first five-points for the Lady Gladiators.

Shelbi’s fouled — Shelbi Gilley(4) gets fouled inside and then goes to the line and hits 1-of-2 foul shots to score the first five-points for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: At the line — Italy’s Shelbi Gilley(4) concentrates before knocking down a free-throw.

At the line — Italy’s Shelbi Gilley(4) concentrates before knocking down a free-throw. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rim-rocking fun — Larry Mayberry, Jr. joins his Gladiator teammates during a pre-game dunk fest that proved to be a precursor for events to come. With one slam after another, it was like watching circus olay!

Rim-rocking fun — Larry Mayberry, Jr. joins his Gladiator teammates during a pre-game dunk fest that proved to be a precursor for events to come. With one slam after another, it was like watching circus olay! (Barry Byers)

Image: “I” Slama Jama — Even the Longhorns were amazed by the dunking abilities of Devonta Simmons and company.

“I” Slama Jama — Even the Longhorns were amazed by the dunking abilities of Devonta Simmons and company. (Barry Byers)

Image: Precision aim — Lady Gladiator Jameka Copeland(5) knocks down a jumper against Axtell.

Precision aim — Lady Gladiator Jameka Copeland(5) knocks down a jumper against Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ro-tation — Kailyn Rossa(3) uses nice form to put in a free-throw during the Axtell game.

Ro-tation — Kailyn Rossa(3) uses nice form to put in a free-throw during the Axtell game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Triplet #1 — Lady Gladiator Keyonne Birdsong(10) drills a three-pointer with a Lady Longhorn charging her.

Triplet #1 — Lady Gladiator Keyonne Birdsong(10) drills a three-pointer with a Lady Longhorn charging her. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chante avoids charging — Italy’s Chante Birdsong(12) tries to score inside against Axtell.

Chante avoids charging — Italy’s Chante Birdsong(12) tries to score inside against Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Can’t stop her with two — Despite being completely corralled by two Lady Longhorn defenders, Kaitlyn Rossa(3) sticks the jumper from atop the lane.

Can’t stop her with two — Despite being completely corralled by two Lady Longhorn defenders, Kaitlyn Rossa(3) sticks the jumper from atop the lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton hits from block — Gladiator Colton Campbell(5) finds clear skies over Axtell.

Colton hits from block — Gladiator Colton Campbell(5) finds clear skies over Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Impressive skills — Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) maneuvers to score near the paint without using his dribble.

Impressive skills — Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) maneuvers to score near the paint without using his dribble. (Barry Byers)

Image: The takeoff — Heath Clemons(2) helps carry the Gladiators to new heights against Axtell.

The takeoff — Heath Clemons(2) helps carry the Gladiators to new heights against Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dunking Devonta — Devonta Simmons(10) steals Axtell’s inbound pass attempt and then dunks in the gift.

Dunking Devonta — Devonta Simmons(10) steals Axtell’s inbound pass attempt and then dunks in the gift. (Barry Byers)

Image: What a play! — Gladiator De’Andre Sephus(20) steals the ball from behind and quickly lays in a score.

What a play! — Gladiator De’Andre Sephus(20) steals the ball from behind and quickly lays in a score. (Barry Byers)

Image: Backwards shoes? — Heath Clemons(2) changes direction in midair to get the shot away.

Backwards shoes? — Heath Clemons(2) changes direction in midair to get the shot away. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alley-oop — Jasenio Anderson(11) lobs an alley-oop pass to Cole Hopkins who slams in the statement.

Alley-oop — Jasenio Anderson(11) lobs an alley-oop pass to Cole Hopkins who slams in the statement. (Barry Byers)

Image: From beyond the arc — Point guard Jasenio Anderson(11) swishes in a three-point bomb from the corner.

From beyond the arc — Point guard Jasenio Anderson(11) swishes in a three-point bomb from the corner. (Barry Byers)

Image: A Gladiator close up — Gladiator Colton Campbell(5) takes a look from the foul line during the Italy vs. Axtell game. Italy wins it in the Longhorns’ own back pasture, 65-43.

A Gladiator close up — Gladiator Colton Campbell(5) takes a look from the foul line during the Italy vs. Axtell game. Italy wins it in the Longhorns’ own back pasture, 65-43. (Barry Byers)

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