Trenton overcomes a quick start by the Gladiators to claim the area title

Image: The Gladiators huddle before taking on the Trenton Tigers for the Area championship.

The Gladiators huddle before taking on the Trenton Tigers for the Area championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman guard Kevin Johnson(5) tracks down a loose ball and then turn towards the Italy basket.

Freshman guard Kevin Johnson(5) tracks down a loose ball and then turn towards the Italy basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Zain Byers(21) attempts free-throws in the second half.

Senior Gladiator Zain Byers(21) attempts free-throws in the second half. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Kevin Johnson(5) tries his luck with a 3-pointer from the corner wing.

Gladiator Kevin Johnson(5) tries his luck with a 3-pointer from the corner wing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Trevon Robertson(22) pulls up to shoot a mini jumper in the lane.

Gladiator Trevon Robertson(22) pulls up to shoot a mini jumper in the lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Trevon Robertson(22) brings the ball up for the Gladiator offense.

Senior Trevon Robertson(22) brings the ball up for the Gladiator offense. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(10) eludes defenders and scores from under the basket.

TaMarcus Sheppard(10) eludes defenders and scores from under the basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Trevon Robertson(22) draws a shooting foul off the fast break.

Italy’s Trevon Robertson(22) draws a shooting foul off the fast break. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator TaMarcus Sheppard(10) absorbs a foul at the end of an Italy fast break.

Senior Gladiator TaMarcus Sheppard(10) absorbs a foul at the end of an Italy fast break. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(10) shoots free-throws in the second-half against Trenton.

TaMarcus Sheppard(10) shoots free-throws in the second-half against Trenton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Darol Mayberry(13) secures an offensive rebound for Italy.

Senior Gladiator Darol Mayberry(13) secures an offensive rebound for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Darol Mayberry(13) gets fouled on the way back up but is not awarded any free-throws.

Darol Mayberry(13) gets fouled on the way back up but is not awarded any free-throws. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Kevin Roldan(33) skies for the rebound and then puts another shot back up, drawing a shooting foul.

Senior Gladiator Kevin Roldan(33) skies for the rebound and then puts another shot back up, drawing a shooting foul. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(33) makes two shots from the foul line for Italy in the fourth-period.

Kevin Roldan(33) makes two shots from the foul line for Italy in the fourth-period. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Zain Byers(21) disrupts a Trenton shooter and then ends up with the rebound.

Italy’s Zain Byers(21) disrupts a Trenton shooter and then ends up with the rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Kevin Roldan(33) and freshman David De La Hoya(20) stretch for the rebound.

Senior Kevin Roldan(33) and freshman David De La Hoya(20) stretch for the rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy sophomore Ty Windham(12) launches a 3-pointer from the corner.

Italy sophomore Ty Windham(12) launches a 3-pointer from the corner. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard(10) gets high to defend the basket with teammates Darol Mayberry(13), Kevin Roldan(33) and Kevin Johnson(5) ready to rebound a miss.

TaMarcus Sheppard(10) gets high to defend the basket with teammates Darol Mayberry(13), Kevin Roldan(33) and Kevin Johnson(5) ready to rebound a miss. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Mason Womack(1) dribbles the ball up the floor for the Gladiator offense.

Sophomore Mason Womack(1) dribbles the ball up the floor for the Gladiator offense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mason Womack(1) shoots free-throws late in the game for Italy.

Mason Womack(1) shoots free-throws late in the game for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kevin Roldan(33) battles for a rebound.

Italy’s Kevin Roldan(33) battles for a rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ty Windham(12) mans up against a Trenton ball handler.

Italy’s Ty Windham(12) mans up against a Trenton ball handler. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Darol Mayberry(13) tries a 3-pointer from the corner with a Tiger closing in.

Gladiator Darol Mayberry(13) tries a 3-pointer from the corner with a Tiger closing in. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School Principal Lee Joffre was on hand to support the Gladiators with son Levi who currently stars in the IYAA.

Italy High School Principal Lee Joffre was on hand to support the Gladiators with son Levi who currently stars in the IYAA. (Barry Byers)

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