Gladiators participate in Glen Rose tournament in preparation for playoffs

Image: The Gladiators have climbed their way into the playoffs as they enter Richards Arena for a pre-playoff scrimmage against Olney.

The Gladiators have climbed their way into the playoffs as they enter Richards Arena for a pre-playoff scrimmage against Olney. (Barry Byers)

Image: The scene is set as Italy warms up in the upscale Glen Rose basketball arena.

The scene is set as Italy warms up in the upscale Glen Rose basketball arena. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Caden Jacinto tries a 3-point shot from the left corner during the pre-game warmups.

Senior Caden Jacinto tries a 3-point shot from the left corner during the pre-game warmups. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Kelvin Joffre lays in the ball during drills.

Senior Kelvin Joffre lays in the ball during drills. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Mason Womack joins the Gladiators in Glen Rose to tangle with Olney.

Freshman Mason Womack joins the Gladiators in Glen Rose to tangle with Olney. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators are joined by Simba, the Lions Club mascot out of Granbury, for a group picture before the game. Pictured on the back row (L-R) are: Cody Boyd, Reid Jacinto, Zain Byers, Kevin Roldan, Simba, Kelvin Joffrey, Mason Womack and Darol Mayberry. On the front row (L-R) are: Levi McBride, Ryheem Walker, John Escamilla, Marvin Cox, Caden Jacinto and John Hughes.

The Gladiators are joined by Simba, the Lions Club mascot out of Granbury, for a group picture before the game.

Pictured on the back row (L-R) are: Cody Boyd, Reid Jacinto, Zain Byers, Kevin Roldan, Simba, Kelvin Joffrey, Mason Womack and Darol Mayberry. On the front row (L-R) are: Levi McBride, Ryheem Walker, John Escamilla, Marvin Cox, Caden Jacinto and John Hughes. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Zain Byers(22) starts the scoring off with a pump fake and then the lay in to finish the fast break.

Italy’s Zain Byers(22) starts the scoring off with a pump fake and then the lay in to finish the fast break. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Marvin Cox(3) spots up and shoots over an Olney defender as teammate Cody Boyd(15) battles on the block.

Gladiator Marvin Cox(3) spots up and shoots over an Olney defender as teammate Cody Boyd(15) battles on the block. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryheem Walker(10) rises to put up a shot in the paint.

Italy’s Ryheem Walker(10) rises to put up a shot in the paint. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Marvin Cox(3) maneuvers in for shot.

Italy’s Marvin Cox(3) maneuvers in for shot. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) gets the shot away for Italy as teammates Zain Byers(22) and Ryheem Walker(10) charge the boards.

Marvin Cox(3) gets the shot away for Italy as teammates Zain Byers(22) and Ryheem Walker(10) charge the boards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Darol Mayberry(13) floors the ball and drives in drawing a shooting foul.

Italy’s Darol Mayberry(13) floors the ball and drives in drawing a shooting foul. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cody Boyd(15) scores two of his 4-points by not hesitating.

Italy’s Cody Boyd(15) scores two of his 4-points by not hesitating. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) can get to the rim or knock down the long range jumper, you can’t stop him…

Marvin Cox(3) can get to the rim or knock down the long range jumper, you can’t stop him… (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) brings the ball up as Italy is forced into a half court set.

Marvin Cox(3) brings the ball up as Italy is forced into a half court set. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Zain Byers(22) powers up for his second score of the game to begin the second-half as teammate Kelvin Joffrey(1) gets in position to rebound.

Gladiator Zain Byers(22) powers up for his second score of the game to begin the second-half as teammate Kelvin Joffrey(1) gets in position to rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Ryheem Walker(10) works off a pick by teammate Reid Jacinto(5).

Gladiator Ryheem Walker(10) works off a pick by teammate Reid Jacinto(5). (Barry Byers)

Image: Taking the shot is Marvin Cox(3) while Kevin Roldan(33) fights his way underneath for rebounding position.

Taking the shot is Marvin Cox(3) while Kevin Roldan(33) fights his way underneath for rebounding position. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Caden Jacinto(2) attempts a 3-pointer as cousin Reid Jacinto(5) blocks out under the basket.

Italy’s Caden Jacinto(2) attempts a 3-pointer as cousin Reid Jacinto(5) blocks out under the basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore John Escamilla(4) takes the shot from the wing.

Sophomore John Escamilla(4) takes the shot from the wing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryheem Walker(10) grabs an offensive rebound and then goes back up for 2-points.

Italy’s Ryheem Walker(10) grabs an offensive rebound and then goes back up for 2-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(11) looks on as Kevin Roldan(33) wins inside to score with time ticking away.

Levi McBride(11) looks on as Kevin Roldan(33) wins inside to score with time ticking away. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Marvin Cox(3) bullies his way into the lane to shoot as Ryheem Walker(10) hustles in to rebound.

Gladiator Marvin Cox(3) bullies his way into the lane to shoot as Ryheem Walker(10) hustles in to rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s head basketball coach Brian Coffman is presented a gift and a coupon, along with Olney’s head coach J.D. Sullian, after the game in appreciation from the Lions Club International, one of the tournament hosts.

Italy’s head basketball coach Brian Coffman is presented a gift and a coupon, along with Olney’s head coach J.D. Sullian, after the game in appreciation from the Lions Club International, one of the tournament hosts. (Barry Byers)

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