Italy 8th grade girls defend the Coliseum

Barry Byers Posted January 14, 2009 4:00am Lady Gladiator Basketball

Image: Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry wins control of the tip as Italy’s 8th grade girls win in a route over Red Oak Life 34-4. Perry led all scores with 10-points. — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry wins control of the tip as Italy’s 8th grade girls win in a route over Red Oak Life 34-4. Perry led all scores with 10-points. (Anne Sutherland)

8th grade girls
The Italy 8th graders pitched a shutout in the first half against Red Oak Life. Led by the collective talents of #10 Brianna Perry, #21 Chante Birdsong and #5 Jameka Copeland the 1st period ended with Italy leading 13-0.

After dominating in the 1st, Italy’s scoring attack slowed down. Anna Viers scored the only points in the 2nd period for Italy hitting a jumper with a 1:22 left before halftime. The swish shot made the score 15-0, Italy leading at the break.

HALFTIME

Starting the 3rd, Italy picked-up where they left off defensively. Eventually, ROL did score, however, and the game was 28-2 going to the 4th period.

The Italy 8th grade girls only managed 6-more points in the final period. ROL did manage to add another 2-points bringing the final total to 34-4.

10-Brianna Perry-10 points
21-Chante Birdsong-9 points
5-Jameka Copeland-6 points
2-Paola Mata- 5 points
24-Alyssa Richards-2 points
11-Anna Viers- 2 points

Mata Intimidates — Italy’s #2 Paola Mata is a beast as she denies the inbound pass. (Anne Sutherland)

Richards Goes Up — Italy’s #10 Alyssa Richards gets pushed on her shot attempt. (Anne Sutherland)

Richards Skies — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards grabs a board against Red Oak Life. (Anne Sutherland)

Italy Defends Court — Can you find an open player? Neither could Red Oak Life as they lost mightily to Italy 34-4. (Anne Sutherland)

Mata Of Fact — There was no doubt who was better in this one as Italy’s #2 Paola Mata helped make it a fact. (Anne Sutherland)

Delivers A Blow — Italy’s #2 Paola Mata scores a free shot for Italy, “Karate Kid” style! (Anne Sutherland)

Jameka Is Jamming — Italy’s #5 Jameka Copeland is on the move to go set a screen. (Anne Sutherland)

Richards Has No Fear — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards charges into the paint. (Anne Sutherland)

On the Move — Italy breaks down the court on their way to a 34-4 victory over Red Oak Life. (Anne Sutherland)

Closing In — All Lady Gladiator eyes are on the ball. (Anne Sutherland)

Perry Shoots — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry led all scores with 10-points in the contest. (Anne Sutherland)

On The Chin — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards takes it on the chin in order to get a rebound for her squad. (Anne Sutherland)

Set Up The “O” — Italy’s #14 Lacie Lopez runs the offense. (Anne Sutherland)

Copeland Controls — Italy shows patience. (Anne Sutherland)

Perry In Position — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry gets into position for the rebound. (Anne Sutherland)

Battle For The Ball — Red Oak life wins this battle but not the war as they fall to Italy 34-4. (Anne Sutherland)

Perry Pumps — Perry pumps up the crowd as well as Italy’s lead. (Anne Sutherland)

Lopez Leans — Italy’s #14 Lacie Lopez drives in for 2-points. (Anne Sutherland)

Huddle Of Winners — When a Red Oak Life coach asked me before the game if the Italy 8th grade girls had been beaten yet, the answer is still, “No.” (Anne Sutherland)