The Italy Gladiator basketball team starts district tonight against Whitney

Image: Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) rises for 2-points against Waco Reicher.

Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) rises for 2-points against Waco Reicher. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators get ready for Waco Reicher.

The Gladiators get ready for Waco Reicher. (Barry Byers)

Image: Devonta Simmons(10) gets Gladiator fans riled up inside the Coliseum.

Devonta Simmons(10) gets Gladiator fans riled up inside the Coliseum.

Image: Gladiator point guard Jase Holden(3) is fouled driving to the rim.

Gladiator point guard Jase Holden(3) is fouled driving to the rim. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jalarnce Lewis(22) fades away to score the bucket over a Cougar defender.

Italy’s Jalarnce Lewis(22) fades away to score the bucket over a Cougar defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Devonta Simmons(10) slips into the lane for a basket.

Italy’s Devonta Simmons(10) slips into the lane for a basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto(2) is focused at the free-throw line.

Caden Jacinto(2) is focused at the free-throw line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cole Hopkins jams during the pre-game warmups before taking on Palmer.

Italy’s Cole Hopkins jams during the pre-game warmups before taking on Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) shows his athleticism while shooting a pre-game layup.

Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) shows his athleticism while shooting a pre-game layup. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Larry Mayberry, Jr.(23) draws contact from a Palmer defender.

Italy’s Larry Mayberry, Jr.(23) draws contact from a Palmer defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) scores against Palmer.

Italy’s Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) scores against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Cole Hopkins(21) soars across the lane.

Gladiator Cole Hopkins(21) soars across the lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Devonta Simmons(10) floats in a basket over the Bulldogs.

Italy’s Devonta Simmons(10) floats in a basket over the Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reagan Adams and Hannah Washington help keep the Gladiators hydrated during the game.

Reagan Adams and Hannah Washington help keep the Gladiators hydrated during the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) sends Connally a pre-game message.

Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) sends Connally a pre-game message. (Barry Byers)

Image: Larry floats thru the air with the greatest of ease.

Larry floats thru the air with the greatest of ease. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase Holden(3) fades back for 2-points over Connally defenders.

Jase Holden(3) fades back for 2-points over Connally defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jalarnce Lewis(22) takes it to the rack against Connally.

Italy’s Jalarnce Lewis(22) takes it to the rack against Connally. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryheem Walker(4) muscles his way up for a score against Connally.

Italy’s Ryheem Walker(4) muscles his way up for a score against Connally. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Trevon Robertson(1) helps Italy’s offense pour it on.

Sophomore Trevon Robertson(1) helps Italy’s offense pour it on. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase Holden(3) takes a calm relaxing breath before shooting his freebie against Connally.

Jase Holden(3) takes a calm relaxing breath before shooting his freebie against Connally. (Barry Byers)

Image: 6’, 8" Cole Hopkins(21) out leaps the Milford Bulldogs for a rebound.

6’, 8" Cole Hopkins(21) out leaps the Milford Bulldogs for a rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trevon Robertson(1) doesn’t give up on a ball going out-of-bounds.

Trevon Robertson(1) doesn’t give up on a ball going out-of-bounds. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trevon Robertson(1) squeezes between a pair of Bulldog defenders.

Trevon Robertson(1) squeezes between a pair of Bulldog defenders. (Barry Byers)

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