Lady Gladiators put up a good fight against Itasca

Barry Byers Posted January 12, 2009 3:30am Lady Gladiator Basketball

Image: Beauties And Braun — District has begun for the Lady Gladiators. They hosted Itasca at the dome Friday night.
(Back row L-R) Jimesha Reed, Becca DeMoss, Kaitlyn Rossa, Megan Richards and Coach McDonald. (Second row L-R) Kyonne Birdsong, Blanca Figueroa, Marisela Periz and Jaleecia Fleming. (On the floor) Manager, Molly Haight. — Beauties And Braun — District has begun for the Lady Gladiators. They hosted Itasca at the dome Friday night.
(Back row L-R) Jimesha Reed, Becca DeMoss, Kaitlyn Rossa, Megan Richards and Coach McDonald. (Second row L-R) Kyonne Birdsong, Blanca Figueroa, Marisela Periz and Jaleecia Fleming. (On the floor) Manager, Molly Haight. (Anne Sutherland)

The Italy Coliseum – Italy’s #22 Megan Richards gets a handle on the ball to control the tip-off. However, the Lady Gladiators didn’t score until the 4:55 mark of the opening period when Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed hit a jumper from the top of the lane. At the 3:45 mark, Shay Fleming added another 2-points to complete Italy’s only scoring of the 1st period. After one, Itasca led 12-4 going into the 2nd period.

Itasca really got rolling in the 2nd to take a 27-4 lead by 4:00 mark. Italy scored 4-straight points after a rebound and put back by Italy’s #3 Kaitlyn Rossa. The two scores proved to be just a speed bump on Itasca’s fast track to a big halftime advantage. After blanketing Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss in effort to keep her from breaking out, the Lady Wampus Cats went purring into the locker room leading 39-8 at the break.

HALFTIME

A more determined Lady Gladiators squad showed up for the second half. Equalling their 1st half output by scoring another 8-points in the 3rd period. Rossa hit 1 free throw, Richards swished a 3-pointer and Reed added 4-points including 2 free shots. DeMoss willed an assist to Reed as did Fleming along the way, however, Itasca seemed unthreatened still leading 54-16 at the end of the 3rd period.

Fueled by back-to-back blocks from Reed and Fleming, Italy would finish strong. Itasca was unable to corral DeMoss any longer as the Gladiators doubled their scoring output again. After DeMoss hit her 2nd of two 3-pointers in the 4th, the final score was 68-32 as Italy finished by scoring 16-points in the final period.

Italy’s Top Performers:
Player of the Game – #40 Jimesha Reed
Big Shot – #5 Becca DeMoss

Itasca Lady Cats — The Lady Cats took their toll on the Lady Gladiators on Friday night. (Anne Sutherland)

Tip-off — Italy’s Reed #40 and Itasca’s Goff #20 square off at center court. (Anne Sutherland)

Itasca keeps scoring — Itasca offense was right on time against the Lady Gladiators. (Anne Sutherland)

One more hoop — Lady Cats offense remained strong throughout the game. (Anne Sutherland)

Rossa Rebounds — Italy crashes the boards but get ran over by the Cats 68-32. (Anne Sutherland)

Fleming passes — Shay Shay Fleming keeps the ball moving. (Anne Sutherland)

Defense holds strong — Itasca’s defense kept the Lady Gladiators on their toes. (Anne Sutherland)

DeMoss works the ball — Even DeMoss couldn’t break through the strong Itasca force Friday night. (Anne Sutherland)

IHS Cheerleaders — The IHS Cheerleaders were on hand Friday night to help the crowd cheer. (Anne Sutherland)