In what proved to be one of the most intense displays of athletic ability ever witnessed on a basketball court, the Italy Gladiators, lead by Jasenio Anderson’s 37-points, showed character and guts during their dramatic win over the Hearne Eagles in Waco on Wednesday.

The Gladiators survived Hearne’s fast-paced brand of basketball, and in the process, made a loud statement to the remaining teams that are now entering the regional semifinal bracket. Multiple lead changes, Fans on their feet, a scorebook full of 3-point makes, critical rebounds and a furious pace from beginning to end best describes the goings on at Waco Robinson High School as Italy and Hearne battled for the Region II-AA Regional Quarterfinal Championship.

The Gladiators built a sizable first quarter lead but Hearne stormed back, stole Italy’s momentum and the lead. Jasenio Anderson, Heath Clemons and Jase Holden each scored 4-points in the opening quarter while teammates Cole Hopkins, Devonta Simmons, De’Andre Sephus and Larry Mayberry scored one basket each. After a fast and furious first, Hearne led 26-20 going into the second quarter.

Hearne’s Rodrick Jackson finished the first half with 18-points including four three-pointers. The Eagles threatened to pull away but Italy’s bigs, Hopkins, Simmons, Mayberry and Ryan Ashcraft were beginning to impact the game via rebounding and disrupting Hearne’s shooters. Anderson put in eight more in the second, to keep pace with Jackson, and had 12-points at halftime. Hearne’s De’Aundres Lewis hit a three-pointer as well and the Eagles led at the break 39-36.

After both players and fans caught their breathes during intermission, the second half begin the same as the first half, as a blur. Both sides raced up and down the floor but Hearne’s second-shot opportunities were dwindling while Anderson dropped in an additional 16-points for the Gladiators during the third quarter.

At one point, Anderson swished in three consecutive three-pointers to turn the tide for Italy. Holden scored 6-points in the third but it was Simmons who placed himself in the right spot at the right time to close out the quarter for the Gladiators. After a layup by Holden gave Italy a 62-57 cushion and a basket by Hearne, Simmons grabbed an Italy miss and laid it in to make the score 64-59.

After an Italy miss, Simmons created a steal under the basket and scored the lay in to give Italy a 66-59 advantage. On the next trip down, again Simmons snagged an offensive board and made the follow to put Italy up 68-59. Then trailing a Gladiator fast break, Simmons secured another offensive rebound and laid in his fourth consecutive basket to give Italy a 70-59 edge to end the third.

The son of Byron Lusk, who played for the Gladiators in the late 80s, Simmons was simply a twinkle in his father’s eye then. On Wednesday night, however, Simmons was a shining Gladiator star who helped deliver a mighty third-quarter blow to Hearne. Italy recorded 34-points in the third while Hearne was held to 20-points. Jackson was limited to one three-pointer for the Eagles during the segment.

The Gladiators continued their surge early in the fourth and zapped the Eagles of their will. Hopkins scored early and Simmons put in another basket as well. After a Mayberry offensive rebound and put back, Italy led 85 – 72 and proceeded to drain the final two minutes from the clock.

Anderson put in nine more points in the quarter going 5-of-6 from the line. Anderson finished the night with a career-high 37-points while Hearne’s leading scorer, Jackson, totaled 30-points and recorded eight of Hearne’s eleven three-pointers.

Simmons added one last free-throw to finish with 13-points and caps off an amazing night of Gladiator basketball, 93-75 over Hearne.

After the final buzzer sounded, the Gladiators made their way to the stands and received hugs, high-fives and handshakes from the crowd.

Italy plays Ponder tonight inside Wisdom Gym on the Tarleton State University campus in Stephenville at 8:00 p.m. in a Region II-AA Regional Semifinal matchup. For Italy’s seniors, this will mark their third straight trip to Regionals and their first at the AA level.

There will be a sendoff for the team this morning at 9:30 a.m. in the Italy High School parking lot before they leave for Stephenville.

Gladiator scoring and roster:

Go Gladiators!