Italy’s Lady Gladiators triumph in final seconds of 2nd round action

Image: Becca “The Difference” DeMoss — With 5 seconds left in regulation, Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss puts in 2 free throws to secure a victory for the Lady Gladiators during 2nd round action. Italy defeated the Mildred Lady Eagles 45-43 in the 2008 Kiwanis Classic at Navarro College.

Becca “The Difference” DeMoss — With 5 seconds left in regulation, Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss puts in 2 free throws to secure a victory for the Lady Gladiators during 2nd round action. Italy defeated the Mildred Lady Eagles 45-43 in the 2008 Kiwanis Classic at Navarro College. (Barry Byers)

Image: DeMoss Goes Airborne — On a fast break, Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss has the ball slapped away at the last moment by a Mildred defender.

DeMoss Goes Airborne — On a fast break, Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss has the ball slapped away at the last moment by a Mildred defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Birdsong To Rossa — Italy’s #10 Kyonne Birdsong passes across the lane to #3 Kaitlyn Rossa as the Lady Gladiators execute the fast break.

Birdsong To Rossa — Italy’s #10 Kyonne Birdsong passes across the lane to #3 Kaitlyn Rossa as the Lady Gladiators execute the fast break. (Barry Byers)

Image: DeMoss Penetrates — Senior point guard #5 Becca DeMoss puts it on the floor trying to get to the rim.

DeMoss Penetrates — Senior point guard #5 Becca DeMoss puts it on the floor trying to get to the rim. (Barry Byers)

Image: DeMoss Defends — Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss transitions to defense after Mildred forces a turnover.

DeMoss Defends — Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss transitions to defense after Mildred forces a turnover. (Barry Byers)

Image: DeMoss Shoots — Daredevil and a coach’s dream, #5 Becca DeMoss shoots a runner from the baseline.

DeMoss Shoots — Daredevil and a coach’s dream, #5 Becca DeMoss shoots a runner from the baseline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Free Throws — Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss prepares to release a free throw.

Free Throws — Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss prepares to release a free throw. (Barry Byers)

Image: In Flight — Italy’s #10 Kyonne Birdsong finishes the fast break.

In Flight — Italy’s #10 Kyonne Birdsong finishes the fast break. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reed Towers — Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed puts up a shot in the 2nd round against the Mildred Lady Eagles.

Reed Towers — Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed puts up a shot in the 2nd round against the Mildred Lady Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reed Makes A Move — Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed is determined to score 2-points for her squad.

Reed Makes A Move — Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed is determined to score 2-points for her squad. (Barry Byers)

Image: Birdsong Attacks — Italy’s #10 Kyonne Birdsong is fouled driving to the hoop.

Birdsong Attacks — Italy’s #10 Kyonne Birdsong is fouled driving to the hoop. (Barry Byers)

Image: Breaking Out — A Mildred Lady Eagle comes out with a rebound against the Lady Gladiators.

Breaking Out — A Mildred Lady Eagle comes out with a rebound against the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here Come The Lady Gladiators — DeMoss pushes the ball up the court and into the Consolation Championship game.

Here Come The Lady Gladiators — DeMoss pushes the ball up the court and into the Consolation Championship game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach McDonald Instructs — Italy Head Coach Stacy McDonald instructs her front liners.

Coach McDonald Instructs — Italy Head Coach Stacy McDonald instructs her front liners. (Barry Byers)

Image: Technical Shot — Coach McDonald was charged with a technical foul before the break. However, it proved to be a small technicality as the Lady Gladiators won by 2-points, 45-43 over Mildred.

Technical Shot — Coach McDonald was charged with a technical foul before the break. However, it proved to be a small technicality as the Lady Gladiators won by 2-points, 45-43 over Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Image: Superstar — Is it a bird? Is It a plane? It’s Superstar Becca DeMoss shooting practice shots during halftime. DeMoss would prove to be the hero in this one by making 2 winning free throws at the end of regulation.

Superstar — Is it a bird? Is It a plane? It’s Superstar Becca DeMoss shooting practice shots during halftime. DeMoss would prove to be the hero in this one by making 2 winning free throws at the end of regulation. (Barry Byers)

Image: So Innocent — Don’t let that baby face fool you, Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed is an immovable object in the paint and feared by the competition.

So Innocent — Don’t let that baby face fool you, Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed is an immovable object in the paint and feared by the competition. (Barry Byers)

Image: Power Dribble — Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed takes a power dribble toward the basket while being henpecked by a Lady Eagle.

Power Dribble — Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed takes a power dribble toward the basket while being henpecked by a Lady Eagle. (Barry Byers)

Image: DeMoss Pressures — Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss tries to slow down the Mildred fast break.

DeMoss Pressures — Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss tries to slow down the Mildred fast break. (Barry Byers)

Image: Oh, The Hummanity! — Reed carves out a name for herself in the paint.

Oh, The Hummanity! — Reed carves out a name for herself in the paint. (Barry Byers)

Image: Denying The Ball — Italy tries to deny Mildred on the inbound pass in an effort to make the Lady Eagles crack under the pressure.

Denying The Ball — Italy tries to deny Mildred on the inbound pass in an effort to make the Lady Eagles crack under the pressure. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rossa Goes For The Rebound — Italy’s #3 Kaitlyn Rossa battled on the boards all game.

Rossa Goes For The Rebound — Italy’s #3 Kaitlyn Rossa battled on the boards all game. (Barry Byers)

Image: In Over Her Head — Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss shoots a, no look, backward shot that goes in for a critical 2-points that gave Italy a 31-30 lead midway through the 4th period.

In Over Her Head — Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss shoots a, no look, backward shot that goes in for a critical 2-points that gave Italy a 31-30 lead midway through the 4th period. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fight To The Finish — Becca DeMoss scrambles after the loose ball hitting the deck hard but manages to stay in the game. DeMoss would later nail 2 winning free throws in the final seconds.

Fight To The Finish — Becca DeMoss scrambles after the loose ball hitting the deck hard but manages to stay in the game. DeMoss would later nail 2 winning free throws in the final seconds. (Barry Byers)

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