Top-ranked Melissa proves why; Italy falls 74-42 in Regional Final

Barry Byers Posted March 10, 2011 2:15am Italy Gladiator Basketball

Image: Italy’s offense grounded by the high-flying Melissa Cardinals — Jasenio Anderson(11), and the Gladiators’ offense as a whole, was held in check by the top-ranked Melissa Cardinals during Regional Final action in Stephenville. Melissa won the game, 74-42, bringing an end to Italy’s season. — Italy’s offense grounded by the high-flying Melissa Cardinals — Jasenio Anderson(11), and the Gladiators’ offense as a whole, was held in check by the top-ranked Melissa Cardinals during Regional Final action in Stephenville. Melissa won the game, 74-42, bringing an end to Italy’s season. (Barry Byers)

Stephenville — The Italy Gladiators (27-8) returned to the regional final game for the third straight season on Saturday. This time around, Italy matched up against the top-ranked Melissa Cardinals (36-1) who suffered their only loss against 4A Woodrow Wilson.

Melissa enters the game coming off a 67-30 win over Crawford. The Gladiators entered Wisdom Gymnasium on the Tarleton State University campus coming off a 74-67 upset win over the three-time reigning state champions of 2A, the Ponder Lions. Ponder had won 20 consecutive playoff games before the Gladiators foiled their hopes for a four-peat on Friday.

Despite their record, Cardinal fans were still anxious before start time. The Gladiators where flooring one of the more athletic defenses in the brackets and featured the scoring talents of 5’10" senior, Jasenio Anderson, who scored 37-points against Hearne and 29-points against Ponder the night before.

The Gladiators were also hoping to take advantage of a slight height advantage with 6’5" Devonta Simmons, 6-5" Cole Hopkins, and 6’3 Larry Mayberry being the tallest players in the contest. And as Mayberry won the opening tip-off to Colton Campbell, it seemed the matchup may favor Italy.

As Italy fell behind 10-2 and then 16-4, with Jase Holden scoring Italy’s first two baskets, it became clear it was Melissa who held all the cards. Hondo Webb(23) showed great patience in handling the Gladiators dreaded press defense. A 6’2" wide-body, Webb showed tremendous ball handling skills and passing abilities to advance the ball up the floor for the Cardinals.

Webb’s bullet passes beat the retreating Gladiators press to the goal resulting in several 2-on-1 opportunities for Melissa. Benefiting, often, from the press break was Webb’s wingman Zach Helmberger(14) who relentlessly attacked the basket.

On defense, Melissa’s Ian Hatfield(32) kept Anderson under wraps frustrating the Gladiators’ senior. Instead of pressuring Italy’s inbound pass, Melissa dropped back on defense and closed out well when Italy would pass to the wings. With few open looks, the Gladiators were unable to sink many shots while Webb imposed his will on offense.

Despite an early three-pointer by Campbell and back-to-back Gladiators’ baskets by Clemons and Anderson, who swished in a three-pointer to close the opening quarter, Melissa enjoyed a comfortable 21-13 advantage after one quarter of play.

The second quarter continued much like the first, Webb using his court skills to slip thru Italy’s full court pressure with Helmberger leading the charge at the other end. After an Anderson free-throw to make the score 21-14, Melissa went on a 9-point run before Clemons broke the streak, 30-16 Cardinals lead.

A basket by Campbell matched Melissa’s next bucket to make the game 32-18. Helmberger then hits a three-pointer for Melissa as the Cardinals take flight again and build a 37-18 advantage.

Anderson delivers two free-throws with 1:41 left in the first half but Melissa leads 41-20 after a Clemons’ three-pointer, to beat the buzzer, rims off.

Melissa continues to roll in the third and leads 47-20 after a score by Blake Billings(4). Clemons passes inside to Simmons to make the score 47-22, at the 5:21 mark, and then Anderson puts in two more from the charity stripe to peck away at the deficit, 47-24.

Italy’s Ryan Ashcraft takes a rare three-pointer and knocks it down for the Gladiators to make the game 47-27. Anderson creates a turnover but Italy is unable to take advantage with an open look in front of the rim. Melissa’s Webb goes 1-out of-2 from the line and then Holden hits two freebies at the other end to make the score, 48-29, with 2:43 left in the third.

Melissa erases Italy’s rally and scores six straight to go up 54-29. Clemons drives, stops and pops in the lane to make the score 54-31. Helmberger then strips the ball from Italy and dribbles the distance for the finger roll. The Cardinals lead 56-31 going into the final 8:00 minutes.

With Melissa leading 57-31, Clemons drives under the basket and then kicks the ball out to Holden who drills the spot-up three-pointer, 57-34. Webb adds a pair of free-throws for the Cardinals before Anderson is fouled driving and goes to the line where he makes 1-of-2, Cardinals lead 61-35.

Melissa is relentless and takes a 68-35 lead. Clemons scores again to make the game 68-37 but the Cardinals go up 70-37, at the 2:28 mark, and Italy takes a timeout.

Clemons puts in one more free-throw. Ashcraft steals and then attacks the basket for the layup. Ashcraft then dishes to teammate Brandon Souder who banks in a short jumper to beat the final buzzer. Unfortunately, the Melissa Cardinals beat the Gladiators 74-42 to claim the Region II-AA Regional Final Championship and advance to the state tournament in Austin.

The Gladiators received a proud applause from their fans while gathering their emotions on the bench. Jase Holden stepped back onto the court to accept the Region II-AA Regional Final Runner-Up trophy on behalf of his teammates.

And with that, the Italy Gladiators end their season with a respectable 27-8 record under first year coach Aidan Callahan and fall just one game short of reaching the state tournament for the third year in a row. “Not many teams can say they’ve been to the Regional Final three years in a row,” stated assistant coach Josh Ward.

The Italy Gladiators Regional Final Roster:

#11 – Jasenio Anderson
#2 – Heath Clemons
#5 – Colton Campbell
#4 – Ryan Ashcraft
#13 – Larry Mayberry
#10 – Devonta Simmons
#3 – Jase Holden
#15 – Brandon Souder
#21 – Cole Hopkins
#1 – Caden Jacinto
#33 – T.J. Cockran

Special thanks to head coach Aidan Callahan, assistant coaches Larry Mayberry and Josh Ward, athletic director Craig Bales, scorebook keepers Rita Garza and Anna Viers, clock handlers Greg Richards, Coach Stephen Coleman and Coach Jeff Richters, managers Gary Escamilla and Katie Byers, reporters Karen Mathiowetz and Anne Sutherland, italyneotribune.com assistant editor Kelly Lewis, Monolithic Constructors, Inc. and to the fans for all their support this season.

Also, thank you seniors, Jasenio Anderson, Heath Clemons, Colton Campell and Ryan Ashcraft for all the wonderful memories.

Gladiator Proud!

Time to shine — Italy Gladiator assistant coach Larry Mayberry tries to fire up the troops just before tip-off. (Barry Byers)

Ryan gets ready — Senior Ryan Ashcraft warms-up before Italy’s regional final game against Melissa. (Barry Byers)

Young gun — Sophomore Cole Hopkins practices a free-throw while team captain Jasenio Anderson meets with the Cardinal captains. (Barry Byers)

Heath prepares — Senior Heath Clemons(2) practices from behind the arc on the Wisdom Gymnasium floor at Tarleton State University. (Barry Byers)

Jase at the line — Jase Holden(3) puts in a free-throw while teammate Devonta Simmons(10) looks on. (Barry Byers)

Colton pulls the trigger — Gladiator Colton Campbell(5) shoots a one-handed jumper from inside the lane. (Barry Byers)

Hopkins shoots — Cole Hopkins(21) tries to shake off a Cardinal defender. (Barry Byers)

Fast-break chance — Jase Holden(3) takes advantage of a rare fast-break opportunity for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Jasenio takes jumper — Jasenio Anderson(11) goes up for a guick shot with teammate Cole Hopkins(21) on the block. (Barry Byers)

Mayberry underneath — Larry Mayberry (13) draws a shooting foul from Melissa Cardinal Zach Helmberger(14). (Barry Byers)

Attacking the Cardinals — Gladiator Jase Holden(3) uses teammate Larry Mayberry(13) as a shield and leans in for a score. (Barry Byers)

Cheerleaders working hard — Italy’s cheerleaders keep the spirit up in Stephenville. (Barry Byers)

Crowd support — Jasenio Anderson(11) looks on as teammate Jase Holden(3) shoots a free-throw. (Barry Byers)

Ryan’s on the ball — Ryan Ashcraft(4) defends the inbound pass from Melissa’s Blake Billings(4). (Barry Byers)

The three-ball — Jase Holden(3) tries a three-pointer from the Gladiator sideline. (Barry Byers)

Anderson at the line — Ryan Ashcraft looks on as fellow senior Jasenio Anderson(11) concentrates at the line. (Barry Byers)

Needing points — Devonta Simmons(10) and Cole Hopkins(21) prepare to rebound as Jase Holding(3) pulls up in the lane. (Barry Byers)

Clemons takes a shot — Senior Heath Clemons(2) rises for a jumper while Larry Mayberry(13) battles on the block with Melissa’s Hondo Webb(23). (Barry Byers)

Face! — Ryan Ashcraft(4) knocks down a three-pointer early in the third-quarter with Melissa’s Hondo Webb(23) defending. (Barry Byers)

Snoop to the hoop — Heath Clemons(2) tries to make something happen and takes a shot at the basket. (Barry Byers)

Finish strong! — The Gladiators huddle away from the Cardinal’s crowd late in the fourth with the season slipping away. (Barry Byers)

Full of memories — Italy’s Brandon Souder(15) concludes the Gladiators 2010-2011 season with one final basket to beat the buzzer. Italy finishes as the Region II-AA Regional Final Runner-Ups after loosing to the Melissa Cardinals 74-42. (Barry Byers)

Leaving as a legend — Senior Heath Clemons(2) receives hugs form fans as he exits the basketball court in a Gladiator uniform for the last time. (Barry Byers)