ITALY - The Gladiators have a deep rooted basketball history... And a Dome. They won the 2A State Championship in 1997 and have had several regional tournament appearances since then. However, last year looked different.

Italy High School Basketball is just two years removed from an undefeated district title, and an area championship. But last year the Gladiators struggled to stay consistent, and finished third in District 12 behind the Rio Vista Eagles (2nd) and the Itasca Wampus Cats (1st). When they faced a very talented Tolar team in the first round of the UIL Playoffs, they fell short and lost 55-47. Italy ended the the year with a record of 15-15.

With a new head basketball coach at the helm the Italy Gladiators hope for a reset. Quinton Fossett, a former Ponder Lion, knows a thing or two about small town basketball success. In his time as a player, Ponder went 114-32, won three district titles, were regional finalists, and on top of all of that - they were in the TABC top 5 for three of the four years.

Last year the 23 year old was the head coach at North Zulch High School, a small 1A school just outside of Bryan, TX. He led them to the playoffs, and also broke the record for single season wins. Quinton Fossett looks to help the Gladiators rise back to regional contention as quickly as possible.