Italy Gladiators claim bi-district championship with 67-56 win over Valley View

Image: Gladiator Keith Davis II (13) is fouled on his way to the basket as Italy removes Valley View from the Class 2A playoffs with a 67-56 bi-district win over the Eagles.

Gladiator Keith Davis II (13) is fouled on his way to the basket as Italy removes Valley View from the Class 2A playoffs with a 67-56 bi-district win over the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Point guard Kevin Johnson(5) helps lead the way for the Gladiators who will be moving on to the Area round of the playoffs after Johnson and his teammates defeated Valley view for the bi-district championship.

Point guard Kevin Johnson(5) helps lead the way for the Gladiators who will be moving on to the Area round of the playoffs after Johnson and his teammates defeated Valley view for the bi-district championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Keith Davis II (13) shredded the Eagles from all angles on the offensive end.

Italy’s Keith Davis II (13) shredded the Eagles from all angles on the offensive end. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Kenneth Norwood(3) is fouled while charging to the basket against Valley View.

Gladiator Kenneth Norwood(3) is fouled while charging to the basket against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator shooting guard Keith Davis II (13) had the skills on display against Valley View.

Gladiator shooting guard Keith Davis II (13) had the skills on display against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryan Connor(2) turns defense into offense as he pushes the ball up the floor after securing a rebound.

Italy’s Ryan Connor(2) turns defense into offense as he pushes the ball up the floor after securing a rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Gladiator Kevin Johnson(5) ends the first-period of play with a three-pointer to beat the buzzer.

Italy Gladiator Kevin Johnson(5) ends the first-period of play with a three-pointer to beat the buzzer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Kenneth Norwood(3) scores a layup in the second-period after creating the turnover on the defensive end.

Gladiator Kenneth Norwood(3) scores a layup in the second-period after creating the turnover on the defensive end. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Keith Davis II (13) let it fly against the Eagles and knocked down 3 three-pointers against Valley View.

Gladiator Keith Davis II (13) let it fly against the Eagles and knocked down 3 three-pointers against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kevin Johnson(5) finishes the fast-break with an open layup and finished the game with 21-points.

Italy’s Kevin Johnson(5) finishes the fast-break with an open layup and finished the game with 21-points. (Barry Byers)

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(Barry Byers)

Image:

(Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Keith Davis II (13) finished the night with a game-high 24-points over the Valley View Eagles.

Gladiator Keith Davis II (13) finished the night with a game-high 24-points over the Valley View Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jeremiah Thompson(11) goes in for a layup for the Gladiators.

Jeremiah Thompson(11) goes in for a layup for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy center Christian Lightfoot(25) records a block against Valley View.

Italy center Christian Lightfoot(25) records a block against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Keith Davis II (13) executes a reverse layup attempt late in the contest against Valley View.

Gladiator Keith Davis II (13) executes a reverse layup attempt late in the contest against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(10) knocks down a 31-footer to end the third against Valley View.

Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(10) knocks down a 31-footer to end the third against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kendrick Norwood(10) and his long-range bomb to end the third causes Gladiator fans to explode with excitement!

Kendrick Norwood(10) and his long-range bomb to end the third causes Gladiator fans to explode with excitement! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Gladiator Christian Lightfoot(25) goes up for a dunk attempt against the Valley View Eagles.

Italy Gladiator Christian Lightfoot(25) goes up for a dunk attempt against the Valley View Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(10) attacks the basket during the second-half of the bi-district showdown against Valley View.

Italy’s Kendrick Norwood(10) attacks the basket during the second-half of the bi-district showdown against Valley View. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(2) steals the ball away from the Eagles and hurries down the court to score the layup. Connor also hit a three-pointer in the second-half to finish with 5-points.

Ryan Connor(2) steals the ball away from the Eagles and hurries down the court to score the layup. Connor also hit a three-pointer in the second-half to finish with 5-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Gladiator Christian Lightfoot(25) rises for 2-points over the Eagle’s defense.

Italy Gladiator Christian Lightfoot(25) rises for 2-points over the Eagle’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Mason Womack(4) dribbles down some clock in the final seconds with the Gladiators putting the final touches on their playoff win.

Italy’s Mason Womack(4) dribbles down some clock in the final seconds with the Gladiators putting the final touches on their playoff win. (Barry Byers)

Image: 3…2..1!!! Levi McBride(1) dribbles out the final seconds of Italy’s 67-56 bi-district win over the Valley View Eagles.

3…2..1!!! Levi McBride(1) dribbles out the final seconds of Italy’s 67-56 bi-district win over the Valley View Eagles. (Barry Byers)

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