Italy 8th grade girls defend the Coliseum

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)

Image: Mata Intimidates — Italy’s #2 Paola Mata is a beast as she denies the inbound pass.

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

Image: Richards Goes Up — Italy’s #10 Alyssa Richards gets pushed on her shot attempt.

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

Image: Richards Skies — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards grabs a board against Red Oak Life.

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

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

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

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

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)

Image: Delivers A Blow — Italy’s #2 Paola Mata scores a free shot for Italy, “Karate Kid” style!

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

Image: Jameka Is Jamming — Italy’s #5 Jameka Copeland is on the move to go set a screen.

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

Image: Richards Has No Fear — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards charges into the paint.

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

Image: On the Move — Italy breaks down the court on their way to a 34-4 victory over Red Oak Life.

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

Image: Closing In — All Lady Gladiator eyes are on the ball.

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

Image: Perry Shoots — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry led all scores with 10-points in the contest.

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

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

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

Image: Set Up The “O” — Italy’s #14 Lacie Lopez runs the offense.

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

Image: Copeland Controls — Italy shows patience.

Copeland Controls — Italy shows patience. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Perry In Position — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry gets into position for the rebound.

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

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

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

Image: Perry Pumps — Perry pumps up the crowd as well as Italy’s lead.

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

Image: Lopez Leans — Italy’s #14 Lacie Lopez drives in for 2-points.

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

Image: 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.”

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)

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