Italy Gladiator Basketball finishes season giving 110% against Itasca

Image: Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(22) led Italy with 17-points, including three 3-pointers, but the Itasca Wampus Cats got the 53-45 win, foiling the Gladiators and their playoff hopes.

Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(22) led Italy with 17-points, including three 3-pointers, but the Itasca Wampus Cats got the 53-45 win, foiling the Gladiators and their playoff hopes. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Joe Celis(1) spins and shoots over a pair of Wampus Cat defenders.

Gladiator Joe Celis(1) spins and shoots over a pair of Wampus Cat defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Ryan Connor(11) rises for a shot in the paint against Itasca.

Gladiator Ryan Connor(11) rises for a shot in the paint against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Windham(12) enters the fray and quickly knocks down a jumper for the Gladiator cause.

Ty Windham(12) enters the fray and quickly knocks down a jumper for the Gladiator cause. (Barry Byers)

Image: Driving and scoring is Italy’s Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(22) despite a Cat paw in his face.

Driving and scoring is Italy’s Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(22) despite a Cat paw in his face. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator John Escamilla(13) closes out the first-half by dropping in this long-range three bomb against Itasca. The shot tied the contest 25-25 at intermission.

Senior Gladiator John Escamilla(13) closes out the first-half by dropping in this long-range three bomb against Itasca. The shot tied the contest 25-25 at intermission. (Barry Byers)

Image: Flying over to celebrate with Italy’s John Escamilla(13) after his 3-point dagger beat the buzzer is teammate Kendrick Norwood(14).

Flying over to celebrate with Italy’s John Escamilla(13) after his 3-point dagger beat the buzzer is teammate Kendrick Norwood(14). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryan Connor(11) puts in a free-throw and finished the game with 5-points.

Italy’s Ryan Connor(11) puts in a free-throw and finished the game with 5-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator big man David De La Hoya(21) tears down a rebound.

Gladiator big man David De La Hoya(21) tears down a rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy junior Ryan Connor(11) pushes the ball across mid court to the keep the offensive pressure on Itasca.

Italy junior Ryan Connor(11) pushes the ball across mid court to the keep the offensive pressure on Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach Brandon Ganske draws up a play for senior John Escamilla(13).

Gladiator head coach Brandon Ganske draws up a play for senior John Escamilla(13). (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Gary Kinkaid(2) excites Italy fans with a reverse layup against Itasca.

Senior Gladiator Gary Kinkaid(2) excites Italy fans with a reverse layup against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Escamilla(13) is on a mission as he scans the court while handling the ball.

Italy’s John Escamilla(13) is on a mission as he scans the court while handling the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Ty Windham(12) attempts a free-throw for Italy.

Gladiator Ty Windham(12) attempts a free-throw for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Cody Boyd(4) searches for an open teammate after receiving a pass.

Senior Gladiator Cody Boyd(4) searches for an open teammate after receiving a pass. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator James Walton(11) closes out on an Itasca shooter.

JV Gladiator James Walton(11) closes out on an Itasca shooter. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Gary Escamilla(2) puts up a shot from the block.

JV Gladiator Gary Escamilla(2) puts up a shot from the block. (Barry Byers)

Image: James Walton(11) leans in against Itasca’s defense to put up a shot for Italy’s JV.

James Walton(11) leans in against Itasca’s defense to put up a shot for Italy’s JV. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Gary Escamilla(2) tries to finish the fast break against Itasca.

JV Gladiator Gary Escamilla(2) tries to finish the fast break against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Anthony Lusk(4) passes over to an open James Walton(11).

JV Gladiator Anthony Lusk(4) passes over to an open James Walton(11). (Barry Byers)

Image: The JV Gladiators break the huddle after some advice from head coach Bobby Campbell.

The JV Gladiators break the huddle after some advice from head coach Bobby Campbell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Needing the ball late, JV Gladiator Jorge Galvan(3) forces Itasca to turn the ball over.

Needing the ball late, JV Gladiator Jorge Galvan(3) forces Itasca to turn the ball over. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator James walton(11) attacks the paint.

JV Gladiator James walton(11) attacks the paint. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Austin Crawford(10) ties up the game 35-35 after getting a rebound and going back up with the ball. Unfortunately for the old gold and white, Itasca would make a free-throw after time expired to defeat Italy 36-35 in a thriller.

JV Gladiator Austin Crawford(10) ties up the game 35-35 after getting a rebound and going back up with the ball. Unfortunately for the old gold and white, Itasca would make a free-throw after time expired to defeat Italy 36-35 in a thriller. (Barry Byers)

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