Italy beats Hearne 93-75 to claim Regional Quarterfinal Championship

Image: Italy celebrates Regional Quarterfinal Championship — The Italy Gladiators and their cheerleaders overcome eleven three-point makes by an extremely athletic Hearne Eagles squad to claim the Region II-AA Regional Quarterfinal Championship, 93-75.

Italy celebrates Regional Quarterfinal Championship — The Italy Gladiators and their cheerleaders overcome eleven three-point makes by an extremely athletic Hearne Eagles squad to claim the Region II-AA Regional Quarterfinal Championship, 93-75. (Barry Byers)

Image: All in! — Head Coach Aidan Callahan gives some last second tips before the Gladiators take the court at Waco Robinson High School.

All in! — Head Coach Aidan Callahan gives some last second tips before the Gladiators take the court at Waco Robinson High School. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole comes thru — Sophomore center Cole Hopkins(21) knocks down a first quarter jumper and adds to Italy’s early lead.

Cole comes thru — Sophomore center Cole Hopkins(21) knocks down a first quarter jumper and adds to Italy’s early lead. (Barry Byers)

Image: Take that! — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) takes a jumper from the free-throw line with teammate Devonta Simmons under the basket to rebound.

Take that! — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) takes a jumper from the free-throw line with teammate Devonta Simmons under the basket to rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Our turn — Jasenio Anderson(11) gives Hearne a taste of their own game plan and attacks the basket.

Our turn — Jasenio Anderson(11) gives Hearne a taste of their own game plan and attacks the basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Top flight — Jasenio Anderson(11) takes the battle to the air against the Hearne Eagles.

Top flight — Jasenio Anderson(11) takes the battle to the air against the Hearne Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: For the lead… — Italy’s Jase Holden(3) launches a three-point attempt with Colton Campbell(5) underneath to rebound.

For the lead… — Italy’s Jase Holden(3) launches a three-point attempt with Colton Campbell(5) underneath to rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: In the zone — Jasenio Anderson(11) slips inside Hearne’s defense for two of his career-high 37-points.

In the zone — Jasenio Anderson(11) slips inside Hearne’s defense for two of his career-high 37-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taking over — Jasenio Anderson(11) rises to the challenge against Hearne.

Taking over — Jasenio Anderson(11) rises to the challenge against Hearne. (Barry Byers)

Image: Step it up — The athleticism on the court was matched by Italy High School Cheerleader Taylor Turner off the court.

Step it up — The athleticism on the court was matched by Italy High School Cheerleader Taylor Turner off the court. (Barry Byers)

Image: PASSion — Surrounded, Jasenio Anderson(11) looks for help from his teammates.

PASSion — Surrounded, Jasenio Anderson(11) looks for help from his teammates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fast break time — Colton Campbell(5) and Jase Holden(3) are at the ready as Jasenio Anderson(11) leans in for another score and draws a shooting foul.

Fast break time — Colton Campbell(5) and Jase Holden(3) are at the ready as Jasenio Anderson(11) leans in for another score and draws a shooting foul. (Barry Byers)

Image: Another level — De’Andre Sephus(20) helps Italy topple Hearne in a barn burner.

Another level — De’Andre Sephus(20) helps Italy topple Hearne in a barn burner. (Barry Byers)

Image: What a game! — No guts, no glory. Italy had the guts and deserves all the glory as Jasenio Anderson(11) works his magic.

What a game! — No guts, no glory. Italy had the guts and deserves all the glory as Jasenio Anderson(11) works his magic. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clemons goes for it — A Hearne defender challenges Italy’s Heath Clemons(2) under the rim.

Clemons goes for it — A Hearne defender challenges Italy’s Heath Clemons(2) under the rim. (Barry Byers)

Image: Keep firing away — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) put up a jump shot from the elbow midway thru the fourth quarter as Cole Hopkins(21) battles with Hearne’s big man.

Keep firing away — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) put up a jump shot from the elbow midway thru the fourth quarter as Cole Hopkins(21) battles with Hearne’s big man. (Barry Byers)

Image: Skill shot — De’Andre Sephus(20) swishes a baseline jumper and finishes with 4-points.

Skill shot — De’Andre Sephus(20) swishes a baseline jumper and finishes with 4-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton’s in the paint — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) goes in for a layup against Hearne’s Sexton Curry(23).

Colton’s in the paint — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) goes in for a layup against Hearne’s Sexton Curry(23). (Barry Byers)

Image: It all adds up — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) swishes a free-throw.

It all adds up — Italy’s Colton Campbell(5) swishes a free-throw. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s go It’ly! — Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood leads the cheers from the sideline.

Let’s go It’ly! — Gladiator mascot Sa’Kendra Norwood leads the cheers from the sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: The closer — Senior hoopstar Heath Clemons(2) prepares to shoot a free-throw late in the fourth quarter while Hearne anguishes in the background.

The closer — Senior hoopstar Heath Clemons(2) prepares to shoot a free-throw late in the fourth quarter while Hearne anguishes in the background. (Barry Byers)

Image: Count it! — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) helps put in the final touches on an unbelievable game played by both Italy and Hearne. Clemons finished with 12-points.

Count it! — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) helps put in the final touches on an unbelievable game played by both Italy and Hearne. Clemons finished with 12-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice job — Megan Richards gives Jasenio Anderson a congratulatory hug after Italy’s big win over Hearne.

Nice job — Megan Richards gives Jasenio Anderson a congratulatory hug after Italy’s big win over Hearne. (Barry Byers)

Image: Proud family — Cole Hopkins gets congratulated by his family. The youngster put in 6-points against Hearne but made his biggest impact on the defensive boards.

Proud family — Cole Hopkins gets congratulated by his family. The youngster put in 6-points against Hearne but made his biggest impact on the defensive boards. (Barry Byers)

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