JV Girls show grit during tournament play

Barry Byers Posted January 20, 2009 4:00pm Lady Gladiator Basketball

Image: Italy’s JV Girls Take It On The Chin — Italy’s #20 Danielle Baugher takes a hard foul across the chin on her way to the basket against the Rice Lady Bulldogs Saturday at the Italy Coliseum. Italy was handed their 2nd loss of the afternoon by Rice 29-26. — Italy’s JV Girls Take It On The Chin — Italy’s #20 Danielle Baugher takes a hard foul across the chin on her way to the basket against the Rice Lady Bulldogs Saturday at the Italy Coliseum. Italy was handed their 2nd loss of the afternoon by Rice 29-26. (Barry Byers)

Game 1 – Italy JV Girls vs Blooming Grove

In the Italy Lady Gladiators JV’s 1st game of tournament play, they had the daunting task of taming the Blooming Grove lady Lions. Unfortunately, the Lady Lions roared into Italy Coliseum hungry for a win and took a 10-5 first period lead.

Italy responded behind the leadership of point guard #34 Khadijah Davis and fought back into the game. Italy’s #10 Melissa Smithey and #12 Alma Suaste applied defensive pressure helping the Lady Gladiators JV get back into the thick of things.

Italy outscored Blooming Grove 13-points to 6 in the 2nd period and only trailed by 2-points at halftime 18-16.

Halftime

In a hard fought 3rd period, the Lady Gladiators managed to keep the game close. Unfortunately, Blooming Grove still had the lead 24-21 going into the 4th period.

A tiring Lady Gladiator squad that had just played the night before in Lancaster was running out of energy. Blooming Grove took advantage and took over control of the game for a Lion victory 30-23.

Italy Scoring:
21-Shelbi Gilley, 7-points
20-Danielle Baugher, 6-points
22-Kaytlyn Bales, 4-points
12-Alma Suaste, 3-points
34-Khadijah Davis, 2-points
23-Sa’Kendra Norwood, 1-point

Blooming Grove High Scorer:
33-Paige Stout, 17-points

Game 2 – Italy JV Girls vs Rice

Playing their 3rd game in 3 days, the Italy Lady Gladiators JV managed to start strong against the Rice Lady Bulldogs. Giving Coach Tina Richards all they could, Italy only trailed the Lady Bulldogs 10-9 after the 1st period.

Powered by the shooting ability of #21 Shelbi Gilley, Italy hangs around and are down by only 4-points at halftime, 20-16.

Halftime

Incredibly, Italy takes the lead 24-22 before the 3rd period ends. However, It would take a mighty effort from an emotionally spent Italy squad if they were to hold on in the 4th.

Rice regained the lead late in the final period 27-26. Italy had a chance to make the winning shot but the Lady Bulldogs defense forced a turnover and scored a layup to beat the buzzer. In doing so, Rice beat the Lady Gladiators JV handing them their 2nd loss of the day 29-26.

Italy Scoring:
21-Shelbi Gilley, 10-points
22-Kaytlyn Bales, 5-points
23-Sa’Kendra Norwood, 4-point
5-Lupita Luna, 4-points
10-Melissa Smithey, 2-points
20-Danielle Baugher, 1-point

Gilley Gets Up — Italy’s #21 Shelbi Gilley tried to earn 2-points for her gals against Rice. Gilley finished the game with 10-points. (Barry Byers)

Smithey Streaks — Italy’s #20 Melissa Smithey is reminiscent of her aunt 6’,1’’ Robin Smithey who was a former Lady Gladiator back in the day. (Barry Byers)

Bales Being The Ball — Italy’s #22 Kaytlyn Bales tries to become one with a 28.5 lb. leather ball in an attempt to hit a free throw. (Barry Byers)

Norwood Amongst The Trees — Italy’s #23 Sa’Kendra Norwood tries to carve out a path down victory lane. (Barry Byers)

Gilley Gets Rough — Yeah, it was that kind of game between Rice and Italy. (Barry Byers)

The Race Is On — The Rice Lady Bulldogs won by a nose beating Italy to the finish line 29-26. (Barry Byers)

Suaste Gets Fouled — Italy’s #12 Alma Suaste draws a shooting foul from a Rice defender. (Barry Byers)

Whatever It Takes — Let this be an example to the young Lady Gladiators out there. Italy’s #12 Alma Suaste is willing to “get dirty” on the hardwood in order to win. (Barry Byers)

Suaste Defends — Italy’s #12 Alma Suaste tries to stop this Rice Bulldog ball-handler. (Barry Byers)

Shelbi Surveys Scene — Italy’s Shelbi Gilley tries to find an open teammate against Rice. (Barry Byers)

Smithey Towers Above — Italy’s #10 Melissa Smithey gives Italy a tall advantage. (Barry Byers)

Gilley Gets Grounded — Italy stumbled in their 1st game of the tournament losing to the Blooming Grove Lady Lions 30-27. (Barry Byers)

Smithey Is Attacked — A referee would come in handy here as Italy’s #10 Melissa Smithey is being mauled by a Lion. (Barry Byers)

Khadijah Davis — Italy’s #34 Khadijah Davis handles the point guard duties for the Lady Gladiators JV. (Barry Byers)

Living Lupita Luna — Italy’s #5 Lupita Luna tries go loco on the Lions. (Barry Byers)

Sa’Kendra From Deeeeeep! — The fearless #23 Sa’Kendra Norwood displays her outside game. (Barry Byers)

Bales And Belles — Down but not out are #22 Kaytlyn Bales and her fellow belles of the round ball. (Barry Byers)

Baugher Chases — Italy’s #20 Danielle Baugher hustles after a loose ball that never seemed to bounce the Lady Gladiators way as they fall to the Lions in the 1st game of the tournament. (Barry Byers)

Lion By The Tail — Italy’s #20 Danielle Baugher grabs a Lion by her shirt tail. (Barry Byers)

Bales To Davis — Davis #34 spots-up for an open look at the basket. (Barry Byers)

Davis Drops One In — Italy’s #34 Khadijah Davis takes a jumper against Blooming grove. (Barry Byers)

The LUNAtic — Italy’s #5 Lupita Luna has insane basketball skills. (Barry Byers)

Defending The Inbound — Bales, Smithey and Suaste guard against the inbound pass. (Barry Byers)