7th grade girls basketball – After a slow paced opening period, with the Italy Lady Gladiators girls leading 6-2 over the Hampton Lady Phoenix, the game soon turned into a race to the finish as eye contacts and glasses went flying.

To start the second period of play, Italy’s Ashley Harper inbounded to Ryisha Copeland for a quick 2-points. Hamptons Nailah Boyo #41 gets an offensive board and puts it in making the score 8-4. Italy’s Bernice Hailey followed with another basket for the Lady Gladiators making the score 10-4.

Hampton’s Kessha Bracy #32 introduced herself to Italy as she scored her first bucket driving all the way to the hoop. The score was now 10-6 with 4:20 left in the first half. Thinking a pass was heading out-of-bounds, the Hampton players pulled-up. Italy’s K. Copeland kept hustling and saved the overthrown ball and turned into 2-points adding to the Lady Gladiator lead 12-6.

Led by the defensive prowess of Dalonea Carrington #1, the Lady Phoenix would finish strong before halftime scoring the next 3-points. 2 were by #13 off an assist from Bracy. Bracy also added 1 of 2 free-throws to pull Hampton closer but still trailing 12-9 at the break.

In the third period, Hampton’s Bracy scored all 5-points for the Lady Phoenix. However, R. Copeland made 2-points off a steal and K. Copeland hit a 2-point jumper in the lane to keep the Lady Gladiators ahead 17-15. Late in the period, R. Copeland hit a jumpshot from the left wing making the score 19-15 going into the fourth.

At the 4:08 mark in the final period, R. Copeland scored off a loose ball and the score was 21-15 with everything going Italy’s way. With 2:15 left, Hampton’s Bracy stole the ball and took it the distance for a layup to make the score 21-17. Italy’s defense tried to slow Hampton down, but Bracy drove to the hoop again pulling the Lady Phoenix within 2-points with :42 left. Then Bracy stole the ball at halfcourt and converted into a score to tie the game 21-21 sending the game into overtime.

In the O.T., Hampton’s Bracy fouled out on the opening inbound pass by Italy. The Lady Gladiators took advantage scoring 6 straight points to with Taylor Turner sealing the deal with a bank shot from the block with only :17 remaining.

In a demonstration of sportsmanship, after the schools were exiting, Italy’s Kendra Copeland extended a hug to Hampton’s Kessha Bracy acknowledging the effort displayed in the overtime game between their two squads.

Italy scoring:
4-Ryisha Copeland, 10-points
10-Kendra Copeland, 9-points
2-Bernice Hailey, 2-points
14-Taylor Turner, 2-points
31-Monserrat Figueroa, 2-points
21-Jessica Wilkins, 2-points

Hampton scoring:
32-Kessha Bracy, 17-points
Player #13, 2-points
41-Nailah Boyo, 2-points

8th grade girls basketball – Italy’s Brianna Perry started out by dominating defensively in the first period. Perry came up with a steel that turned into points for Italy. Perry also registered an authoritative block on a hapless opponent that denied Hampton a chance for a score. Italy’s Alyssa Richards kept scoring with ease and Perry added 4-points for the cause as well as Italy led 16-0 at the end of the first period.

Italy changed-out four players to start the second period. Katie Byers, Morgan Cockerham, Brianna Burkhalter and Lacie Lopez joined Chante Birdsong in an effort to keep the pressure on Hampton. The Lady Gladiators were unstoppable as Italy’s Paola Mata added the final bucket of the half to give the Lady Gladiators a commanding 27-0 lead over the Hampton Lady Phoenix.

To Hampton’s credit, the Lady Phoenix started the second half determined to get on the scoreboard. Hampton’s #23 scored to start the fourth and Italy now lead by only 25-points, 27-2. Hampton’s #23 would add another 2-points using a power dribble down the lane before the end of the third period. Birdsong finished the period with a steel and a driving layup to make the score 33-4 after three periods.

Hampton’s #23 got the first bucket of the fourth quarter with 2:40 left in the game. The score was now 33-6 when Hampton’s #23 nailed a 3-pointer with time running out. The contest ended in Italy’s favor 33-9.

Coach Coker encouraged his team’s continued improvement commented after the game, “They are a fantastic group of girls and they practice as hard as they play. I thoroughly enjoy working with them and I’m extremely thrilled with the team’s undefeated record thus far.”

Italy scoring:
21-Chante Birdsong, 10-points
10-Brianna Perry, 8-points
24-Alyssa Richards, 6-points
5-Jameka Copeland, 5-points
2-Paola Mata, 2-points
22-Brianna Burkhalter, 2-points

Hampton scoring:
Player #23, 9-points