Seniors Dontavius Clemons, Darrin Moore and Diamond Rodgers helped close the books on another successfull regular season of Italy Gladiators’ basketball. Head Coach Kyle Holley has his squad primed for the playoffs as they play Monday, February 23, for the Bi-District Chamionship in West, Texas.
The “Italian Globetrotters,” the Italy Gladiators JV boys squad, dazzled fans with a talented display of their basketball skills as they passed over top of Waxahachie Advantage 77-32 and ended the season with an exclamation point!
The Italy Coliseum – The Italy 7th and 8th grade boys’ basketball squads ended their 2009 seasons with big shots, two well earned wins and a lifetime of hoop memories.
It was five years ago when the Lady Bulldogs were in the basketball playoffs. Under the coaching direction of Larry Williamson, this year the girls ended the district season in second place and will once again make a playoff appearance.
Bi-District Championship Game in West, Texas – After a Tuesday afternoon Pep-Rally wishing the Italy Lady Gladiators luck, students and fans traveled to West, Texas to support the team as they competed for a Bi-District Championship against the Valley Mills Lady Eagles.
The rematch of all rematches, unfortunately, didn’t live up to the hype…at least not for the Gladiators. Itasca, on the other hand, seemed to be having a blast singeing the nets against Italy, winning easily, 68- 51.
The Italy Gladiators JV put the finishing touches on an incredible basketball season. A two-for-one deal, the win over Itasca Friday allowed Italy’s JV to wrap up the 15-A Junior Varsity Championship with a 15-1 record. And secondly, Head Coach Larry Mayberry finally got to smile.
Per TxDOT both the north bound and south bound lanes of I-35 will be closed beginning at 7:00 p.m. tonight, February 17, in the Hillsboro area. This closure will directly affect all of the Lady Gladiator fans traveling to West tonight to support our Lady Gladiators as they take on Valley Mills for a Bi-District Title.
Head Boys Basketball Coach Kyle Holley would like to inform Italy fans of the upcoming basketball schedules for all the games this coming Monday and Tuesday.
The Old Italy Gym – The IYAA is a fun time for families and friends to come together and enjoy exciting youth sports. IYAA Basketball is a perfect example of this with Week 5 now in the books.
Once again, Italy’s #2 Heath Clemons shouldered the load for the Gladiators, at point guard, against Dallas Faith Family. Jasenio Anderson rested his sprained ankle for another game. The rematch against Itasca is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night at the Italy Coliseum. Let’s “Pack The Dome” Gladiator fans!
3…2…1…Dallas Faith Family shoots the 3-pointer! It misses! It rolls off! The Lady Gladiators have done it! Italy wins 45-43 and invites Mr. Momentum to escort them into the playoffs riding a two game winning streak. This is the Lady Gladiators’ first opportunity to go to the “big dance” since 2006.
Italy – That’s right, “Playoffs!” Both Italy Varsity basketball squads are heading to the playoffs. Thanks to an Italy Lady Gladiator’s win over Grand Prairie AA and an Itasca win over Family Faith of Dallas, the Lady Gladiators finished in 3rd place and are making their 1st post season appearence since 2006.
Italy – The Italy Lady Gladiators went for it against the Dallas Gateway Gators. A determined effort by Italy kept the game close for 3 periods setting the stage for an exciting final period.
Italy’s, undefeated, 8th Grade Girls tried to deliver the knockout blow to the Itasca Lady Wampus Cats Thursday at the Italy Coliseum. It was a close 1st half of play but Italy seemed to have the upperhand going into the 2nd half.
Italy 7th Grade squads took on Itasca in two grueling basketball games. As the season nears it’s end, Coach Tina Richards and Coach Larry Mayberry have their squads playing hard and giving Italy fans something to cheer about.
Italy – Both JV squads put on a show for Italy fans as the Italy JV Girls made purses out of the Dallas Gateway Lady Gators and the JV Boys fitted themselves with a new pair of Gator skinned boots as they stomped all over Dallas Gateway.
Italy – The Italy Gladiators dominated the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles winning big, 78-35. It was special because the performance was in front of a packed crowd full of Italy Gladiator alumni. It was Throwback Night at the dome and the event was FANtastic!
Italy – The Italy Lady Gladiators out shot, out ran, out played and out danced the Waxahachie Advantage Lady Eagles Friday. Despite the distractions of Throwback Night, Italy’s Lady-Gs took care of business, and defeated the Eagles 57-16. And one and two, and one and two, and one and two…
The Italy Coliseum – In a basketball match that resembled a prize fight, the Italy Gladiators stood toe-to-toe (and head to chin) with the Dallas Gateway Gators for 4 rounds.
The Italy Coliseum – Italy Gladiator Throwback Night was a star-studded affair as former players, managers and coaches of the 1982-1986 Regional Qualifying Basketball Teams were recognized for their past efforts and rewarded with warm applause and personalized plaques.
Itasca, Texas – Italy vs Itasca games are always surrounded by high emotions. Thursday night was no different as the both basketball squads took center court adding more fuel to this already explosive rivalry.
Itasca – The fur was flying as the Italy Lady Gladiators had a rematch against the Itasca Lady Wampus Cats Thursday night. After struggling for most of the game, Italy went on a scoring frenzy in the 4th scaring the kitty litter out of Itasca.
Italy Basketball Throwback Night is tonight, January 30th. The annual Italy High School event will be held in the dome and Gladiators young and old are invited to take in some basketball action as well as take a trip down memory lane.
The Italy Neotribune would like to congratulate the 7th and 8th grade boys basketball squads for “representing” in the Junior High Boys Basketball Tournament hosted by Italy. Saturday was definitely worth the price of admission!
Italy – Italy’s 8th grade girls keep improving as they stay undefeated after a convincing victory over the Hampton Phoenix. The 8th grade boys took a stand as well but eventually came up short against Hampton once again.
According to Italy Varsity girl’s head coach, Stacy McDonald, games planned for Tuesday, Jan. 27 against Itasca have been changed to Thursday, Jan 29. The frosty weather has changed things and the Varsity games will be played beginning at 5:00 pm in Itasca. The Varsity boys will play at 6:30.
The Italy Coliseum – The Hampton Phoenix 7th grade boys/girls squads made the drive back to Italy for a rematch with the Gladiators. A bit more difficult this time, It was still worth the trip as Hampton’s 7th grade squads rolled up two more wins.
UPDATE: Due to the inclement weather, Varsity games will be played on Wednesday, Jan. 28 in Itasca, beginning at 5:00 pm.
The Italy Neotribune would like to congratulate Italy’s 8th grade girls for winning the Blooming Grove Basketball Tournament last Saturday. We also wish to congratulate the 7th grade girls for finishing in 2nd place in the tournament.
IYAA Basketball squads perform in front of a packed crowd in Italy this past Saturday. Parking and seating was scarce as Hillsboro and Italy fans cheered on area youth who put it all on the line this weekend.
The Italy Coliseum – The Italy Gladiators disposed off the Grand Prairie AA Eagles in a game that was decided by the end of the first period. This was Italy’s second straight game to score over 80-points.
The Italy JV Gladiators travelled all the way to the dome in Avalon, Texas and challenged the Eagles Thursday to a friendly game of roundball. Long time neighbors and sporting rivals, these two schools have a mutual respect for each others talents formed through years of competitive play.
In the ‘Court of Basketball’ the Italy Lady Gladiators were found guilty of stealing passes, using excessive force in the post and for attempted assault with deadly outside shooting weapons. The minutes filed by the All-District Attorney read as follows:
Cedar Valley College – The Lady Gladiators got off to a good start against the Dallas Gateway Lady Gators. However, the tide quickly turned in the 2nd period and suddenly Italy was in jeopardy of losing their 2nd District game.
Cedar Valley College – The Italy Gladiators wrestled the Gators from Dallas Gateway Friday night in Lancaster. The anticipation was high since both squads are loaded with talent. Gateway relies on 6’ 6" Center “Big City” #24 while Italy Sophomore #11 Jasenio Anderson shoulders the hopes of Gladiators’ fans.
The Italy Coliseum – Italy hosted a JV basketball tournament Saturday, Jan 17. The Lady Gladiators JV tangled with the Blooming Grove Lady Lions in game one and the Rice Lady Bulldogs in game two. Both were physical confrontations proving our girls are not made of sugar and spice and everything nice.
Cedar Valley College – Both Italy Gladiator JV squads dominated the Dallas Gateway Gators in action packed games. Italy’s JV Girls outnumbered the Gators 5 players to 3 at one point. And the Italy JV Boys game featured, what could be, the “Shot of the Year!”
Inside the Italy Coliseum – Saturday, January 17, Italy played host for a JV Boys Basketball Tournament. Italy was determined to take advantage of the golden opportunity by defeating Rice in the 2nd round. That set the stage for a showdown with the powerful Blooming Grove Lions in the Championship game.
The 2009 IYAA Basketball squads showed off their moves, elevated their games and tried to reach their respective goals Saturday. After the last buzzer sounded and the final flash snapped, fond memories of the days events reflected across the Old Italy Gym floor.
At Home In The Dome – The Italy JH boys and girls squads put on a show for their fans. A mixture of 7th and 8th grade boys “B” squads competed in a scrimmage that came down to the last second. Then the Italy JH boys and girls “A” squads both defeated their Red Oak Faith Family challengers.
Italy takes care of the Venus Bulldogs and now sets their sights on Dallas Gateway. The JV/V games Friday will all be played at Cedar Valley College since Gateway’s gym is under construction.
The Italy Coliseum – The Italy JH met on the hardwood with Red Oak Life last Thursday for rematches. Italy made the hometown fans proud but ROL got on a roll themselves winning 3 of the 4 games during this trip.
The Italy Coliseum – The Italy 8th grade girls dominated the Red Oak Life Mustangs
Thursday, Jan. 17, everyone is invited to the Italy Coliseum to cheer for our JH squads. Italy will compete against Dallas Faith Family plus there will be an Italy vs Italy scrimmage featuring the 7th and 8th grade boys.
IYAA tipped-off the 2009 basketball season against Hillsboro sporting stylish white and gold uniforms printed by "Lil’ Dab Emroidery” in Italy. The action was fast-paced at the legendary Old Italy Gym as the IYAA’s young stars showcased their talents.
Italy Head Coach Stacy McDonald led the Lady Gladiators out of the locker room to take on the Itasca Lady Wampus Cats. Unfortunately the Lady Gladiators came up short as Itasca’s girls stunned the Lady Gladiators building a huge halftime lead 39-8.
The Italy Coliseum — It all came down to one final shot to beat the buzzer as the Lady Gladiators JV and their old rivals the Itasca Lady Wampus Cats JV play in a thriller at the dome!
The Italy Coliseum – The JV Gladiators are chased out of the dome by a nest of Yellow Jackets after the Ferris JV unleashed a relentless assault on Italy to win 66-46.
The Italy Coliseum – A swarm of Ferris Yellow Jackets converged on the dome, mistaking it for their hive apparently, as the Jackets stung the Italy Gladiators 80 times to win 80-37.
