Italy JV squads’ make lunch meat of Gators

Barry Byers Posted January 20, 2009 3:30am Lady Gladiator Basketball

Image: Jeffords At The Line — Italy’s #33 Cassie Jeffords steps to the line with confidence during the Lady Gladiators JV matchup with the Dallas Gateway Lady Gators. Italy won the game, played on the campus of Cedar Valley College in Lancaster, 35-23. — Jeffords At The Line — Italy’s #33 Cassie Jeffords steps to the line with confidence during the Lady Gladiators JV matchup with the Dallas Gateway Lady Gators. Italy won the game, played on the campus of Cedar Valley College in Lancaster, 35-23. (Barry Byers)

JV Girls – Cedar Valley College
Italy’s #12 Alma Suaste nails a 3-pointer and #22 Kaytlyn Bales scores and adds the and-1 to give Italy its only points of the 1st period. However, that proves to be enough as the 1st period ends with the Lady Gladiators JV leading 6-4.

The Dallas Gateway Gators used fullcourt pressure to keep the game close. It was a risky move considering they only suited up 5 players. Gator Head Coach Tim Green must of felt it would be Gateway’s only chance. Unfortunately for the Lady Gators, another Italy 3-pointer by #34 Khadijiah Davis and a layin on the fast break by #33 Cassie Jeffords help the Lady Gladiators JV take an 11-8 advantage into halftime.

Halftime

Both squads had a productive 3rd period putting in several baskets. Bales, Suaste, Davis and Italy’s #12 Shelbi Gilley were all scorching the nets for the Lady Gladiators JV. Heading into the 4th period, Italy was still in front 29-19.

Italy’s #10 Melissa Smithey hits from the left baseline to give her squad a 29-21 lead at the 4:00 mark of the 4th. Gateway’s #3 scored to make the game 31-23, but at the 2:38 mark, Gateways #41 sprains an ankle leaving the Gators with only 4 players. Putting up a fight, Gateways #3 gets fouled shooting but misses both free throws and it was all Italy after that point.

Italy’s #20 Danielle Baugher makes a layup completing the fast break to make the score 34-23, 1:32 left. Gilley adds a free throw with 1:26 left to make it 35-23. Gateway’s #14 fouls out with 1:21 remaining leaving 3 Gateway players to finish the contest. The damage had already been done and the Italy Lady gladiators JV coasted home winning 35-23 over the Gateway Lady Gators.

Italy’s Top Performers:
Leader of the Pack – #34 Khadijiah Davis
Big Shot – #12 Alma Suaste
Impact Player – #22 Kaytlyn Bales

JV Boys
Italy’s #5 Colton Campbell scores a quick layup after the tip-off to get things rolling against Gateway. Italy’s #4 Jase Holden scores 3-points the old fashioned way at the 6:05 mark. The game was slow paced after that point with neither side really making a move. Before the 1st period ended, however, #50 Kyle Wilkins pump faked two Gator defenders for a layin giving the Gladiators JV a 9-2 lead.

In the 2nd, Wilkins and Campbell help Italy build a 16-5 advantage by the 5:34 mark. Later, Campbell hits a 3-pointer to increase the Gladiator lead 23-5 at the 4:02 mark. The Gladiators JV continues to roll and #13 Larry Mayberry finishes up the 1st half scoring for Italy as they lead at the break 29-14.

Halftime

Italy’s Holden and Campbell were relentless against Gateway in the 3rd period.
Campbell drilled two 3-pointers including a banker at the buzzer to keep the Gators at bay 51-25.

After Italy’s #20 Ryan Ashcraft grabs a rebound and scores the put back, Holden scores the shot of the year. While getting fouled in mid air on his way to the basket, Holden flips the ball back over his head and the ball lobs in. The free shot dropped as well and Jase couldn’t stop smiling as Italy took a 63-32 lead, 3:52 left. After Campbell upset his own mother by stuffing a Gator with little time left, the Italy Gladiators JV won easily 70-38.

Italy’s Top Performers:
Player of the Game – #4 Jase Holden
Big Shot – #5 Colton Campbell
Impact Player – #50 Kyle Wilkins

Bales Buckets — Italy’s #22 Kaytlyn Bales is becoming a force in the middle for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Bales Has Her Hands Full — I think we need a bigger block because what little block is there, Italy’s #22 Kaytlyn Bales is not willing to share it. (Barry Byers)

Smithey Stalks — Italy’s #10 Melissa Smithey constantly works on defense. (Barry Byers)

Smithey Shoots At Gators — Smithey let’s it fly against Dallas Gateway. (Barry Byers)

Baugher Breaks Away — Italy’s #20 Danielle Baugher leads the fast break. (Barry Byers)

Suaste Shoots — Italy’s Alma Suaste shoots in the lane. (Barry Byers)

Air Norwood — Sporting, former Chicago Bull Michael Jordan’s old jersey number, and flying through the air is Italy’s own #23 Sa’Kendra Norwood. (Barry Byers)

Baugher To The Basket — Italy’s #20 Kaytlyn Baugher charges to the hoop. (Barry Byers)

Norwood’s Hardwood — Sa’Kendra Norwood makes grown girls cry when she’s in the lane. (Barry Byers)

Buzzer Beater? — Alma Suaste tried to beat the buzzer against the Gators. (Barry Byers)

Suaste Gets Attention — Italy’s #12 Alma Suaste relies on good form to help her make this play. (Barry Byers)

It’s What Colton Does — It’s just Colton Doing what Colton Does as he fires another three-ball. (Barry Byers)

Ashcraft Tries For Ball — Italy’s #20 Ryan Ashcraft tries to secure a pass into the paint. (Barry Byers)

Sephus Is Smooth — Italy will shoot 3-pointers early and often. (Barry Byers)

Jase From The Corner — Italy’s #4 Jase Holden takes a jumper against Gateway Friday night. (Barry Byers)

Shooting Free Throws — Italy’s #50 Kyle Wilkins looks good shooting the free throw. (Barry Byers)

One More Time — Italy’s #5 Colton Campbell and #20 Ryan Ashcraft prepare to rebound Kyle’s 2nd attempt from the line. (Barry Byers)

Tie Up A Gator — Italy’s defense wrestled the Gators into submission. (Barry Byers)

Sephus Launches — That’s right, we’re still in the 1st period. Anytime is the right time for Italy’s JV to shoot the three-ball. (Barry Byers)

Colton Looks To Pass — Italy’s #50 Kyle Wilkins makes himself available to get a pass from #5 Colton Campbell. (Barry Byers)

I Got It! — I got It! You got It? I think we all got it. Now what do we do wIth it now that we got it? Question: Does Italy get credit for three rebounds on this play? (Barry Byers)

On The Board — Italy crashes the boards against Dallas Gateway. (Barry Byers)

Ashcraft To Holden — Italy’s #20 Ryan Ashcraft lobs an inbound pass to the fleet-footed #4 Jase Holden. Italy pummeled the Dallas Gateway Gators 70-38 at Cedar Valley College Friday. (Barry Byers)