Saginaw, Boswell High School — Freshman Kevin Johnson puts up a season high 17-points while going 7-of-9 from the free-throw line in the fourth-period to help lead the 2013-2014 Italy Gladiators to a 54-47 1A-D1 Region II Class A Bi-District win over the Valley View Eagles.

Being the 2 seed versus a 3 seed, Italy was expected to win it and they did in dramatic fashion. Seniors Trevon Robertson, TaMarcus Sheppard, Tyler Anderson and Darol Mayberry were huge on the defensive side of the battle while Zain Byers patrolled the boards with 10 rebounds. Fellow senior Bailey Walton supported his teammates with 6-points and helped Byers control the painted area as well.

Italy got assistance from junior Cody Boyd with 2-points and from sophomore Ty Windham with a pair of free-throws. Sophomore Mason Womack filled in as well contributing a free-throw to the effort.

The Gladiators had to build this win piece by piece in a game where nothing came easy and with fans on both sides cheering with passion.

Congratulations to head coach Brandon Ganske, to assistant coach Jon Cady and to the entire team for a job well done!

Special thanks to bookkeeper Misty Escamilla and managers John Escamilla, Joshua Cryer and Jorge Galvan.

The Gladiators will take on Trenton next for the area championship with the game to played at Forney High School on Friday, February 21, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Go Gladiators! Beat Trenton!!