The Italy Gladiators (27-7) knockoff the three-time reigning Region II-AA State Champions, the Ponder Lions (20-16), by a score of 74-67 inside Wisdom Gymnasium on the Tarleton State University campus in Stephenville. With the win, the Gladiators claim the Regional Semifinal Championship and will compete in the Regional Final game against Melissa starting at 2:00 p.m. today.

Ponder led 13-3 in the first quarter before Italy began chipping away at the Lion’s lead. By the end of the first, Italy’s Jasenio Anderson hit four three-pointers and Ponder just held an 18-15 edge.

Defensively for the Gladiators, Devonta Simmons proved effective as the lead man on the Gladiator press. At 6’5", Simmons forced several Ponder turnovers to help Italy climb back into the contest. Also, the Gladiators gathered in the majority of loose balls and dominated the first-half boards with 17 rebounds to Ponders 12 creating extra shot opportunities.

Heath Clemons and Jase Holden scored 6-points each in the first half while teammates Colton Campbell and Simmons both added one basket each for the Gladiators.

Italy’s Anderson put up seventeen shots in the first half, ten of which were three-point attempts, knocking down four. Anderson went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line and made 2-of-7 field goals to lead all scorers with 20 first-half points.

In the first two quarters, Italy hit 5-of-15 from behind the arc averaging 33%. Ponder hit 1-of-2 three-pointers for a 50% average. Overall, the Gladiators went 5-of-6 from the line at 83% while ponder went 7-of-9 for a 78% free-throw average.

Italy made 14-of-40 shot attempts for a 35% average while Ponder went 13-of-21 from the floor for a 62% shooting average. However, with twice as many shot attempts and long-range buzzer-beating three-pointer by Anderson that banked in to end the first, the Gladiators managed a 38-34 halftime lead.

Ponder scores first to start the third quarter. Anderson drives deep under the Ponder basket and passes the ball back to Campbell who kisses it off the glass, 40-36, Italy leads. Clemons steals and scores, 42-36, Italy on top. Ponder answers quickly to keep the game tight, 42-38. Ponder pulls within a basket but an offensive rebound and put back by Cole Hopkins gives Italy a 44-40 edge.

Ponder hits inside but a pull-up jumper by Clemons, that took several bounces on the rim before dropping in, makes the score 46-42 in Italy’s favor. Ponder puts in a pair of free-throws but Campbell rises in the lane for an eight-footer to make the score 48-44. Ponder responds and pulls within two but Clemons attacks the paint and gets the in-close jumper to fall, 50-46, Italy leads.

Ponder goes 1-of-2 from the line to make the game 50-47 and then a three-point swish by Ponder’s Jordan Young ties the game 50-all. The Gladiators waste no time getting up the court and Campbell snipes in a three-pointer of his own and Italy is back in front, 53-50.

Ponder takes regains the lead 54-53 but an Anderson free-throw ties the game 54-54. Ponder draws an over-the-back call against Italy and the Lions hit 1-of-2 from the line to take a 55-54 lead going into the final quarter.

Anderson drives down the left side of the lane and banks in the lead changer, 56-55, Italy goes up by one. Ponder answers with a bucket and Gladiator head coach Aidan Callahan calls for a timeout. Out of the timeout, Anderson inbounds to Larry Mayberry who scores over a Lion defender to put Italy up 58-57. Italy’s press forces a turnover which leads to a lob pass from Clemons to Simmons who catches it above the rim and lays it in. The aerial display by Simmons gives Italy a 60-57 lead.

A Ponder free-throw makes the score 60-58. Anderson breaks down Ponders half court defense with the dribble and reaches the rim for another make. Italy leads 62-58. Ponder scores and then Anderson pushes the ball all the way to the rack. The shot glances off but Simmons follows the miss and scores the put back to give Italy a 64-60 cushion with 4:00 remaining.

Ponder’s Young swishes in another three-pointer to pull the Lions back within one, 64-63. Anderson advances the ball and passes to Clemons who attacks Ponder’s defense from the wing to score in the lane. The Gladiators lead 66-63 when Ryan Ashcraft grabs a key defensive rebound for the Gladiators resulting in an Anderson trip to the foul line. With just over 2:00 remaining in the game, Anderson swishes in both free throws to help Italy extend their lead, 68-63.

The Gladiators dribble away time off the clock but Ponder, eventually, creates a turnover. Young hits a baseline jumper for the Lions and closes the gap 68-65. Coach Callahan takes another Gladiator timeout with 0:58 to play. Italy is unable to score after the inbound pass and Ponder scores quickly off the turnover, 68-67, Italy leads by one with 0:31 on the clock.

Anderson heads up the court and is purposely fouled by Ponder to stop the clock. With 0:20 remaining, Anderson sinks the pair of clutch free-throws to give Italy a 72-67 advantage. Ponder misses a desperation three and Simmons rebounds the miss and passes to Clemons who gets fouled dribbling. With 0:09 left, Clemons buries the charity shots and Italy goes on to win 74-67 to claim the Regional Semifinal Championship and ends Ponder’s season and their hopes of a fourth straight State Championship.

The Gladiators received a tremendous applause from their fans when the final buzzer sounded. Former Gladiator great, Greg Anderson, could not contain his excitement afterwards and continuously shouted, “We are in it to win it!”

Again, Italy plays Melissa at 2:00 p.m. inside Wisdom Gymnasium today, Saturday, March 5. With many of the Gladiator faithful renting rooms for the night, another strong showing of Gladiator support is expected in Stephenville.

Go Gladiators!