Calling all Italy fans!! Your support is needed for Tuesday’s games in Itasca!!!
Senior Gladiator Kevin Roldan(33) and Gladiator head coach Brandon Ganske slap fives with senior Gladiator TaMarcus Sheppard(10) who is without a doubt ready for Itasca. (Barry Byers)
Italy vs. Itasca II
Gladiator Nation is being asked to attend Tuesday’s games in Itasca to support all four of our high school basketball squads. Both the varsity girls and boys teams will be competing in vital district match ups against the Wampus Cats where Italy victories will play key roles in playoff positioning. So put on your fan face and decorate those signs—it’s gonna be a wild night!
What will be on the line for the Lady Gladiators?
If the Lady Gladiators defeat Itasca, they will finish the district race in 2nd place as the district runner-up behind Triple A Academy. If the Lady Gladiators were to lose, they will be in a 3-way tie for 2nd place with Itasca and Gateway. If that happens, Italy will play a “Play-in Tournament.” One team will receive a bye and the other two teams will play to determine a winner to play the bye team. The bye team and first game winner will advance to bi-district.
What will be on the line for the Gladiators?
The Gladiators are currently in 2nd place. A win over Itasca will secure their spot as the district runner-up and advance the Gladiators to the bi-district round of the playoffs. A loss to Itasca could push Italy into a tie for 2nd place resulting in a wildcard game or a coin flip. The winner of the wildcard game, or of the coin flip, would determine which teams enter the playoffs as a 2 seed and as a 3 seed.
Game Times:
The JV girls game versus Itasca will start at 4:00 p.m followed by the JV boys game at 5:00 p.m. The varsity girls will start about 6:15 p.m. with the varsity boys playing in the finale around 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy bonus images from this season which are included with this article.