Grand Prairie — After both sides jabbed at each other to an early 5-5 tie, the Italy Gladiators began running away from the Grand Prairie Advantage Eagles on the scoreboard. Down 40-13 at halftime, GPAA was the beneficiary of a running clock throughout the second-half which proved to be their best defense against the relentless Gladiators.

Fueled by 14 style points from senior Trevon Robertson, the high-octane Gladiators used their defense to spark their offense. Kevin Johnson, Bailey Walton, Tyler Anderson and Robertson were the primary chaos creators with one steal after another turning turnovers into points.

Johnson scored 10, Walton put in 8 and Anderson split a pair of free-throws after drawing a shooting foul. Darol Mayberry was active on the boards and put in 6-points as did post player Zain Byers. Also working hard in the paint was Cody Boyd who finished with 3-points.

Sophomore Ryan Connor swished back-to-back jumpers to conclude the first-half and finished with 8-points. Mason Womack added a bucket while post player Kevin Roldan left his mark on the offensive boards and Ty Windham gave a utility effort with rebounds, defense and getting shots up on offense. The entire squad had a hand in the victory to ensure first-year head coach Brandon Ganske would open his first district campaign in Italy with a win!

With time mercifully expiring, the Gladiators had secured their district opening win, 62-40, over the Eagles.

Go Gladiators!