Regional Quarterfinals

Matchup:

• Italy Gladiators (24-7) will play the Hearne Eagles (23-10)
  
  

Game time:

• Wednesday, March 2 @ 7:30 p.m. at Waco Robinson
  
  

Location:

• Waco Robinson High School
  700 W. Tate Drive
  Waco, TX 76706
  (254) 662-3840

Loop 340 (Hwy. 6) to Robinson; take Hwy. 77 South into Robinson; go past Brookshire’s Grocery; look for Chevron Station; turn right on Tate Street; stay on Tate Street and JH will be on the right and HS will be on the left

Lead by Italy’s Devonta Simmons’ 17-points, the Gladiators defeated Axtell 54-44 to cap-off a solid regular season and complete their quest for a second straight district championship. Last year’s, undefeated in district (10-0), accomplishment came at the A level and proved to be the beginning of an amazing playoff run in which Italy finished as Regional Finalists.

The Gladiators, under first-year head coach Aidan Callahan and assistants Larry Mayberry and Josh Ward, battled through a tougher AA schedule this season but, ultimately, captured the district crown while posting a 23-6 overall record and going 13-1 in their new district.

As a result of being the 15-AA District Champions, the Gladiators earned a bye in the first round of the State playoffs and another Bi-District Championship. Which brings us to this past Friday night where Italy matched up against the Mildred Eagles in a Region 2-AA Area Champions game played at Midlothian High School.

Italy missed their opening shot of the game but a quick steal and layup by Heath Clemons gave the Gladiators a 2-0 lead. Italy’s defense forces another turnover and Clemons is fouled driving to the basket. Clemons makes 1-of-2 from the line and the Gladiators are up 3-0 at the 7:04 mark. Jasenio Anderson deflects an Eagle pass and Clemons benefits with a jumper from the corner, 5-0 Italy leads.

Mildred scores before Jase Holden is fouled attacking the rim and Holden goes 1-of-2 from the line as well, 6-2 Italy. Cole Hopkins grabs an offensive board and goes back up with it, 8-2 Italy. Anderson fakes a jumper from the elbow and darts a pass down low to Devonta Simmons who banks in the gimme to give Italy a 10-2 edge.

De’Andre Sephus steals the ball and scores a layup but Mildred answers at the other end. Clemons steals the ball and puts in another Gladiator layup to make the game 14-4. Mildred counters but Clemons finishes off a fast break with a pass to Holden for the score, 16-6. On Italy’s next trip down, Anderson finds Clemons camped out in the corner and Clemons swishes in a three-pointer to put the Gladiators up 19-6 with 0:51 to play in the first-quarter.

Italy would score one last basket from Sephus to end the opening quarter and takes a 21-6 lead after one.

Suddenly, the lid closes on Italy’s basket and the Gladiators are unable to build on their first-quarter momentum. Mildred takes advantage and drops in two consecutive three-pointers to decrease the deficit, 21-12. Anderson creates another steal but Italy is unable to capitalize. Mildred scores thanks to an offensive rebound and follow, 21-14. Italy misses a pair of free-throws but Colton Campbell drills a three-pointer on the next possession to bump Italy’s lead back to ten, 24-14, with 2:11 to play in the first-half.

Mildred scores inside the paint and then chases that with a Kevin Dozier three-pointer to pull within five-points, 24-19 Italy. Anderson goes 1-of-2 from the line to make the score 25-19 but Mildred scores again and pulls within four-points, 25-21. Anderson drives hard to the rack and ends up on the slats and no foul call. With 0:01 left on the clock and the ball out under Italy’s offensive basket,

Anderson inbounds to Holden who drops in a three-pointer at the buzzer. Holden’s clutch shot gives Italy some breathing room, and a touch of momentum, as both teams head to the locker room. The Gladiators finish the half on top, 28-21.

Clemons finished the first half with 10-points and Holden had six. Anderson only had 1-point to his credit after two-quarters of play but that was about to change upon his return to the floor.

Mildred erupts to start the third with a two-point basket and then a three-pointer to pull within one of Italy, 28-27. Coach Callahan takes a timeout with 7:13 on the clock. Shortly thereafter, Clemons snags a defensive rebound and passes ahead to Anderson who takes it all the way for a layup, 30-27, Italy remains in front. Mildred responds to make the game 30-29. Clemons splits a pair of free-throws and Italy leads 31-29. Anderson charges to the goal and scores drawing an and-1 foul. The freebie counts and the Gladiators increase their advantage, 34-29, with 3:49 to play in the quarter.

Clemons comes away with an offensive rebound and passes back to Hopkins open in front of the basket, 36-29 Italy’s rolling. Anderson rebounds a Mildred miss and launches a pass up the court to Holden who get the lay in, 38-29. Mildred comes up empty at the line but Larry Mayberry hits two from the charity stripe for the Gladiators. Italy now leads 40-29. Anderson penetrates into the lane and has a chance for another three-point play. The and-1 rims out but Italy leads, 42-29, with 1:34 left in the third.

Mayberry scores near the basket and Mildred begins to see their season slip away, 44-29. Campbell steals the ball and scores the bucket, 46-29. Mildred finally ends their drought with two free shots to make the score 46-31 with 0:50 to go. Anderson inbounds to Campbell who makes an aggressive move to the basket and Italy leads 48-31. Mildred adds two more free-throws but Anderson is fouled while dribbling the ball. In the bonus, Anderson swishes both shots and Italy leads 50-33 with 0:06 on the clock.

Anderson gets control of the ball and heaves a half-court shot that sails left of the goal but into the hands of Gladiators’ mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood who celebrates her grab while rubbing salt in the wound of the Eagles.

Clemons adds a basket in the final quarter to finish with 13-points total. Simmons swishes in a pair of free-throws for the cause but it is Anderson who goes 6-of-6 from the line to go along with a couple of made baskets that wraps up the Region 2-AA Area Championship with a pretty gold bow on it for the Gladiators. Anderson finished with 20-points on the night with nineteen coming in the second-half.

The Italy Gladiators (24-7) will play the Hearne Eagles (23-10) Wednesday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Waco Robinson in a Regional Quarterfinal matchup.

Go Italy!