Good Luck, Gladiators!

Barry Byers Posted March 4, 2011 8:10pm Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: The Gladiators receive good luck send-off from fellow students — The Gladiators were surrounded by love as they boarded the bus and headed for Stephenville departing at 9:30 a.m. from the Italy High School campus. — The Gladiators receive good luck send-off from fellow students — The Gladiators were surrounded by love as they boarded the bus and headed for Stephenville departing at 9:30 a.m. from the Italy High School campus. (Barry Byers)

As the Gladiators boarded the school bus to leave for Stephenville. The entire Italy High School student body filled the parking lot and lined the exit in a show of support.

IHS Cheerleaders Beverly Barnhart, Sa’Kendra Norwood, Sierra Harris and Anna Viers, along with fellow students Delma Garcia and Alyssa Richards, decorated the bus windows and senior forward Heath Clemons offered to drive.

Assistant coach Josh Ward overruled the idea, and with that, head coach Aidan Callahan and assistant coach Larry Mayberry climbed aboard and the team headed toward Wisdom Gymnasium located on the Tarleton State University campus.

Everyone cheered, Coach Ward honked the horn and the Gladiators waved from the windows before settling in for the upcoming journey into a Regional Semifinal matchup with the Ponder Lions starting a 8:00 p.m.

If the Gladiators win, they will play in the championship game at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

View UIL boys basketball playoff bracket

Listen to the live play by play audio stream of the regional semifinal game beginning at 7:40 pm.

Good luck, Gladiators!

Decorating — Delma Garcia, Sierra Harris and Anna Viers help decorate the bus windows.

They’ve Awakened the “Beast” — Jasenio Anderson boards the bus with a morning orange juice in hand.

Here we go — Devonta Simmons and Larry Mayberry exit the Italy Coliseum dome and then make their way onto the bus.

Experienced lane driver — Senior forward Heath Clemons is ready to drive his Gladiator teammates to Stephenville, if he can just find that cord that makes the horn sound.

Snoop’s driving? — Gladiators Brandon Souder and Ryan Ashcraft board the bus-like chariot with some apprehension.

Showing support — Beverly Barnhart, Vincent Jacinto, Lisa Jacinto and Michael Chambers are on hand to see the Gladiators off. The Jacinto’s son, #2 Caden Jacinto, is a sophomore that was moved up to the varsity squad for the playoffs.

One last check… — Tie, itinerary…wait…where’s the game plan? Don’t worry, head coach Aidan Callahan is all packed and ready for a win.

Thumbs-up! — Mark Souder, Sr. gives the thumbs-up sign to the Gladiators as the bus takes off. Mr. Souder is the father of #15 Brandon Souder.