Italy — In what was to be heir final home game wearing the old gold and white this past Tuesday night, the Italy Gladiator senior boys were escorted by family members during a pre-game ceremony inside Italy Coliseum to honor their basketball careers.

Seniors, TaMarcus Sheppard, Tyler Anderson, Darol Mayberry, Bailey Walton, Zain Byers, Trevon Robertson and Kevin “Big Agua” Roldan were introduced before taking on the Grand Prairie Advantage Academy Eagles with each senior scoring points in their last game under the dome.

Sheppard put in 17-points including two 3-pointers. Robertson matched Sheppard’s output with 17-points of his own and also dished out 5 assists. Bailey Walton had a solid game with 14-points and 5 rebounds. Mayberry was good for 7-points which included a 3-pointer. Roldan and Byers each scored 6-points while Anderson dropped in 4-points and had 3 steals.

Freshman sensation, Kevin Johnson scored 6-points and had 3 steals, junior post player Cody Boyd accounted for 5-points and 4 rebounds and Ty Windham helped with the ball handling duties while securing 4 rebounds.

Italy led 44-25 at intermission and then coasted in their war chariots during the second-half to wrap up that, always memorable, final home game with an 82-45 district win to sweep the Eagles again this season.

With the victory, head coach Brandon Ganske and assistant coach Jon Cady have their team poised for the playoffs but could use a district win over the Wampus Cats tonight in Itasca to secure the runner-up spot. Fan support for both the Gladiators and Lady Gladiators will be huge so we hope to see Gladiator Nation in full effect against our rivals!!

Congratulations to the JV boys who defeated Itasca’s JV in Cat Country 46-45 on Tuesday night as well! Tonight game’s in Itasca will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the JV Lady Gladiators getting the party started against Itasca’s JV girls.

Gladiator Roster/Scoring vs. GPAA:

Go Gladiators! Thanks for the memories, Seniors!