Abilene — Italy Neotribune will post updates of the regional semi-final game between the Italy Gladiators and the Clyde Eula Pirates being played in Abilene. Game start time is 8:00 p.m.

The Italy Gladiators won the Region 1, Division 1, 1A Basketball Conference Regional Quarterfinal Championship game in Midlothian on Monday by defeating the Dallas Gateway Gators 88-68. Italy will play Clyde Eula for the regional semi-final championship in Abilene on Friday night at 8:00 p.m.

With the IYAA basketball season winding down in week 8, coaches and players tried to leave lasting impressions in their final games. From granny shots and 3-point bombs to fast break layups and precision passes, the IYAA showcased them all on Saturday inside the old Italy gym.

Hamilton — The Italy Gladiators (26-4) crossed a dam in Whitney, climbed a mountain in Meridian and then drove straight to the basket in Hamilton before overcoming one final obstacle, the DeLeon Bearcats (19-10), to win the area championship game 85-50.

The IYAA’s week 7 of basketball was packed with thrilling shots, expert ball handling, precision passing and plenty of smiling faces. The players have been working hard in their practices resulting in big moments during the games. Good luck to the players and coaches as the season comes to an end….Finish Strong!

The Gladiator Basketball Team will travel to Hamilton Friday night to take on the DeLeon Bearcats for the area championship. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Hope to see everyone there!

All nine members of the Italy Lady Gladiators Basketball Team received well deserved recognition for their efforts on the court this season. The team has improved by leaps and bounds and the future for this young squad looks bright indeed.

Hamilton, Texas — The 2009-2010 Italy Lady Gladiators (18-12) Basketball Team ended their playoff run in Hamilton, Texas after losing the area championship to the Mason Cowgirls (23-11) by a score of 45-24 on Friday, February 19, 2010.

George E. Scott Coliseum — With teams trying to improve their position in the standings, excitement was in the air. Performing in front of a packed gym, IYAA players put their skills on display and made their parents, grandparents and coaches proud.

Gladiators (25-3) end their district schedule with a perfect 10-0 record to finish as undefeated 1A district champions, break the century mark for the first time this season with a 104-40 win over the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles and every player on the Gladiator roster scored during the game. Now that’s how to finish a regular season of basketball. Playoffs here we come!

Italy’s 7th & 8th grade boys basketball teams wrapped up their seasons on Monday, February 8th in two hard fought games against the visiting Palmer Bulldogs.

Congratulations to coach Stacy McDonald, coach Tina Richards and the Lady Gladiators on winning the 1A bi-district championship in dramatic fashion over the Bosqueville lady Bulldogs, 47-44!

The Lady Gladiators continue their playoff run Friday in Hamilton at 7:00 p.m. They will be playing the Mason Cowgirls for the 1A Area Championship.
Included in this article:
A poem by Lady Gladiator #22 Megan Richards.

After a 73-61 win over the Itasca Wampus Cats, The Italy Gladiators (24-3) have already clinched the 1A-1 Region II District 15 District Championship with one game left to play. Currently 9-0 in district play, the Gladiators finished last season as a regional finalist and are poised to take another stab at winning the state championship.

The IYAA will be conducting its 2nd Baseball/Softball sign-ups on Saturday, February 13 inside the old Italy High School gym from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Lady Gladiators move past Dallas Faith Family and head into the playoffs. The Lady Gladiators will battle Bosqueville for bi-district at West High School on Monday, February 15 at 6:00 p.m.

Schedule change: The varsity Gladiators (boys) will play Itasca on Saturday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m. in Itasca. The JV boys game has been cancelled.

The Lady Gladiators will play the Bosqueville Lady Bulldogs in the first round of the 2010 Basketball Playoffs on Monday, February 15, at 6:00 p.m. at West High School.
Crowd support will play a huge roll so everyone wear Italy’s colors and come ready to cheer!

Before the basketballs are stored away and the uniforms packed in moth balls, the Italy Junior High girls had two more games to play against Hampton Prep.

Week 5 had it’s share of great shots, nice passes and fancy dribbling. The players really enjoy playing the games and the fans do a great job cheering them on. If you like excitement, stop by George E. Scott Coliseum next Saturday and check out the next generation of incredible athletes.

“Parent Night” gives the Italy players and Gladiator fans a chance to honor the parents and grandparents who do so much behind the scenes for the athletes. Also, Lady Gladiator Megan Richards celebrated her 16th birthday with her teammates Friday as well.

Thursday after school, Italy Lady Gladiator coaches Stacy McDonald and Tina Richards organized a scrimmage between their ladies and the lads of the 8th grade boys basketball team.

The Italy Junior High boys played two games against Dallas Life Thursday, January 28. The 7th graders had their struggles early but managed to finish strong. The 8th graders built a small lead by intermission and then pulled away in the 2nd half to pencil in their second win in a row.

George E. Scott Coliseum — The IYAA basketball players, coaches and fans enjoyed an exciting Week 4 of competition on Saturday. There were several close games to keep the crowd entertained and plenty of special memories were made. The kind of memories that will last a lifetime.

Friday night, Italy Basketball celebrated Throwback Night honoring the 1955 girls State Semi-finalists and the 1974 boys Regional Finalists Basketball teams. Honorees enjoyed watching the current JV Boys, Varsity girls and Varsity boys basketball teams as they defeated the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles in all 3 games.

In what was an exciting night of basketball on Tuesday, Italy’s JV girls, JV Boys, Varsity girls and Varsity boys clashed with Itasca during Italy’s Pack The Dome Night inside Italy Coliseum. “Gladiator Nation” was well represented as both schools put on quite a performance.

George E. Scott Coliseum — IYAA Basketball, Week 3, saw it’s share of exciting finishes, amazing plays and gutsy performances. Sydney Lowenthal even swished a “granny shot” for goodness sake. The most exciting moments of Week 3 matched one Italy team against another. With bragging rights on the line, all the players gave it their all and then congratulated one another after the game.

PACK THE DOME NIGHT! The Lady Gladiators and Gladiators are now focused on the Itasca Wampus Cats who will be coming to town Tuesday, January 26. It’s always an exciting matchup when these two rivals collide so we hope to see everyone inside the Coliseum. Make those signs, paint your faces and get ready to make some noise!

The Italy Junior High 7th and 8th grade girls basketball teams split wins with the Red Oak Life Lady Mustangs on Thursday, January 21 inside the dome shaped corral known as Italy Coliseum.

Italy Basketball Head Coach Kyle Holley invites Gladiator fans to several upcoming events scheduled at the Italy Coliseum including Pack The Dome Night, Throwback Night and Parent Night.

Italy’s JV Boys, varsity girls and varsity boys raised their level of play Friday night when hosting the Dallas Gateway Gators. With the Gateway program demoralized from a recent U.I.L. ruling of ineligibility declared with the two of it’s varsity boys players, “Gladiator Nation” seized the moment and went hunting for Gators.

The 7th and 8th grade Lady Gladiators competed in the Blooming Grove Jr High Basketball Tournament on Saturday, January 16. The 8th grade came away with a 2nd place trophy. The 7th graders were consolation champs. Both teams showcased their athletic prowess and were excellent representatives of Italy both on and off the court.

Week 2 of the IYAA basketball season was a day of firsts for many young hoopsters. Whether Saturday marked the first time an aspiring athlete made his or her first basket, of their whole life, or whether it was a team’s first win of the season, the IYAA is where many “first moments” happen for future Gladiators, Bulldogs, Eagles and Polar Bears.

The Italy Junior High Lady Gladiators came away with two nail-biting victories against the Palmer Junior High Lady Bulldogs on Thursday inside Italy Coliseum.

The Lady Gladiators had to dribble on egg shells to avoid crushing the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles Tuesday. Despite a ladylike display of passing the ball around more than needed and turning down wide open layups, the Italy Lady Gladiators won by 54-points at home.

The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) enjoyed Opening Day on Saturday as the 2010 basketball season is underway. Teams from Italy and Hillsboro celebrated the spirit of competition together in what proved to be a fun and exciting day for youth sports.

The Italy 7th and 8th grade boys basketball teams thrilled fans inside the Italy Coliseum on Thursday. The 7th Grade team picked up their second win this season, both wins coming against Irving North Hills, while the 8th grade team lead for three quarters before losing by 2-points in their rematch with Irving North Hills.
^{Scores and stats from the Italy Jr High Girls’ games against Irving North Hills are also included at the end of this article.}

The Italy JV Gladiators win by a whisker over the Whitney JV Wildcats while the Varsity Gladiators handle the Wildcats easily as they near District competition.

Monday marked the first day of basketball practice for the IYAA basketball players. Excitement was in the air as teammates made acquaintances and then ran drills in preparation for the opening day games on Saturday.

The Italy Lady Gladiators competed for the Kiwanis Classic Consolation Championship against the Mildred Lady Eagles while the Gladiators competed for the Men’s Tournament Championship against the Kerens Bobcats this past Wednesday at the Navarro College campus. There was a blackout, rallies, comebacks and experienced gained as Italy strengthens their armor for District.

The Italy Lady Gladiators finished day 2 of the Kiwanis Classic Basketball Tournament with a 1-1 record, earning a spot in the Consolation Championship game against Mildred on Wednesday. The Gladiators defeated Frost on day 2 to post a 2-0 record in the tournament setting up a Kiwanis Tournament Championship rematch with Kerens.

The 2010 Basketball season is underway and practices will begin Monday, January 4. The rosters have been created and coaches will be contacting their players with practice schedule information.

Italy’s Varsity and JV Lady Gladiators gift wrap wins for Coaches Stacy McDonald and Tina Richards over the Aquilla Lady Cougars on December 15 inside Italy Coliseum. Like a violently shaken snow globe, the Lady Gladiators created an avalanche inside the dome to bury Aquilla while Italy’s JV girls played Grinch, stealing a Christmas Holiday victory away from Aquilla’s JV girls.

If you would like to sign-up your girl(s)/boy(s) to participate in the IYAA Basketball League for the 2009-2010 season, IYAA Basketball sign-ups will be held Thursday, December 17 between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the old Italy High School gym (the George E. Scott Memorial Gymnasium).

Christmas did not come early for Italy’s 7th & 8th Grade boys basketball teams after experiencing tough sledding against the Hampton Prep Phoenix on Monday. Hampton Prep won both games but not without a fight from Italy’s scrappy Junior High Gladiators.
^{Scores and stats from the Italy Jr High Girls’ games against Hampton Prep are also included at the end of this article.}