JV Girls show grit during tournament play

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Norwood Amongst The Trees — Italy’s #23 Sa’Kendra Norwood tries to carve out a path down victory lane.

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

Image: Gilley Gets Rough — Yeah, it was that kind of game between Rice and Italy.

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

Image: The Race Is On — The Rice Lady Bulldogs won by a nose beating Italy to the finish line 29-26.

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

Image: Suaste Gets Fouled — Italy’s #12 Alma Suaste draws a shooting foul from a Rice defender.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Suaste Defends — Italy’s #12 Alma Suaste tries to stop this Rice Bulldog ball-handler.

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

Image: Shelbi Surveys Scene — Italy’s Shelbi Gilley tries to find an open teammate against Rice.

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

Image: Smithey Towers Above — Italy’s #10 Melissa Smithey gives Italy a tall advantage.

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

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

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

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

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

Image: Khadijah Davis — Italy’s #34 Khadijah Davis handles the point guard duties for the Lady Gladiators JV.

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

Image: Living Lupita Luna — Italy’s #5 Lupita Luna tries go loco on the Lions.

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

Image: Sa’Kendra From Deeeeeep! — The fearless #23 Sa’Kendra Norwood displays her outside game.

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

Image: Bales And Belles — Down but not out are #22 Kaytlyn Bales and her fellow belles of the round ball.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Lion By The Tail — Italy’s #20 Danielle Baugher grabs a Lion by her shirt tail.

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

Image: Bales To Davis — Davis #34 spots-up for an open look at the basket.

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

Image: Davis Drops One In — Italy’s #34 Khadijah Davis takes a jumper against Blooming grove.

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

Image: The LUNAtic — Italy’s #5 Lupita Luna has insane basketball skills.

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

Image: Defending The Inbound — Bales, Smithey and Suaste guard against the inbound pass.

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

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