JV Girls show grit during tournament play
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