Gladiators overcome slow start to beat Ponder in Regional Semifinal

Image: Italy defeats Ponder for the AA Regional Semifinal Championship — The Italy Gladiator knockoff the three-time reigning champions, the Ponder Lions, 74-67 to claim the Region II-AA Regional Semifinal Championship. The Gladiators are just three games away from becoming the new king of the basketball jungle.

Italy defeats Ponder for the AA Regional Semifinal Championship — The Italy Gladiator knockoff the three-time reigning champions, the Ponder Lions, 74-67 to claim the Region II-AA Regional Semifinal Championship. The Gladiators are just three games away from becoming the new king of the basketball jungle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Getting ready — Jasenio Anderson gets warmed up just in time to record four three-pointers in the first quarter and keep the Gladiators in the game.

Getting ready — Jasenio Anderson gets warmed up just in time to record four three-pointers in the first quarter and keep the Gladiators in the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: In sync — Jase Holden and Ryan Ashcraft practice the long ball before the start of Italy’s regional semifinal game against Ponder.

In sync — Jase Holden and Ryan Ashcraft practice the long ball before the start of Italy’s regional semifinal game against Ponder. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry Mayberry — Italy’s Larry Mayberry(13) spins and shoots in the lane.

Larry Mayberry — Italy’s Larry Mayberry(13) spins and shoots in the lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lane shot — Italy’s Jase Holden(3) takes a jumper over a Ponder defender.

Lane shot — Italy’s Jase Holden(3) takes a jumper over a Ponder defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath Clemons — Heath Clemons(2) penetrates into the lane and hurts the Lions.

Heath Clemons — Heath Clemons(2) penetrates into the lane and hurts the Lions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins — Gladiator sophomore 6’6" Cole Hopkins(21) skies upward.

Cole Hopkins — Gladiator sophomore 6’6" Cole Hopkins(21) skies upward. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase Holden — Italy’s Jase Holden(3) uses his athleticism to attack the basket.

Jase Holden — Italy’s Jase Holden(3) uses his athleticism to attack the basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: The jumper — Gladiator Jase Holden(3) puts up a jumper to keep the pressure on the Lions.

The jumper — Gladiator Jase Holden(3) puts up a jumper to keep the pressure on the Lions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s get rowdy! — Italy’s fans were in full force in Stephenville.

Let’s get rowdy! — Italy’s fans were in full force in Stephenville. (Barry Byers)

Image: Concentration was key — The ultimate weapon, Jasenio Anderson(11), zones in at the line.

Concentration was key — The ultimate weapon, Jasenio Anderson(11), zones in at the line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hugs! — Gladiator cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson and Madison Washington begin the celebration late in the fourth quarter.

Hugs! — Gladiator cheerleaders Kelsey Nelson and Madison Washington begin the celebration late in the fourth quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Three for all — Italy’s Jase Holden(3) is golden and finishes the night with 8-points.

Three for all — Italy’s Jase Holden(3) is golden and finishes the night with 8-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: On the mark — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) pulls up at the elbow for two of his 16-points.

On the mark — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) pulls up at the elbow for two of his 16-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Unstoppable! — In attack mode from beginning to end, Jasenio Anderson(11) finishes with 29-points against Ponder.

Unstoppable! — In attack mode from beginning to end, Jasenio Anderson(11) finishes with 29-points against Ponder. (Barry Byers)

Image: What a play! — Devonta Simmons catches a lob pass from Heath Clemons and banks it in to give Italy a 60-57 lead in the fourth quarter.

What a play! — Devonta Simmons catches a lob pass from Heath Clemons and banks it in to give Italy a 60-57 lead in the fourth quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: A scoring machine — The “Beast” within Jasenio Anderson(11) gets inside the paint for another basket.

A scoring machine — The “Beast” within Jasenio Anderson(11) gets inside the paint for another basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Yay, Italy! — Kaitlyn Rossa, Taylor Turner and the rest of the IHS Cheerleaders make some noise!

Yay, Italy! — Kaitlyn Rossa, Taylor Turner and the rest of the IHS Cheerleaders make some noise! (Barry Byers)

Image: Ice water in his veins — Swishing the free-throw is Jasenio Anderson(11) to help ice the game for Italy.

Ice water in his veins — Swishing the free-throw is Jasenio Anderson(11) to help ice the game for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Great game! — Jase Holden gets a congratulatory hug from IHS Cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa after the Gladiators beat Ponder 74-67 for the regional semifinal championship.

Great game! — Jase Holden gets a congratulatory hug from IHS Cheerleader Kaitlyn Rossa after the Gladiators beat Ponder 74-67 for the regional semifinal championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Proud couple — IHS Cheerleader Sierra Harris is proud of Colton Campbell after the game. Campbell finished with 9-points against Ponder.

Proud couple — IHS Cheerleader Sierra Harris is proud of Colton Campbell after the game. Campbell finished with 9-points against Ponder. (Barry Byers)

Image: Celeb status — Jasenio Anderson thanks the fans both large and small after the game.

Celeb status — Jasenio Anderson thanks the fans both large and small after the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Behind the scenes — Anna Viers, Kyonne Birdsong and Jake Escamilla take care of things behind the scenes for the Gladiators.

Behind the scenes — Anna Viers, Kyonne Birdsong and Jake Escamilla take care of things behind the scenes for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

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