Italy Lady Gladiators JV – Against the Dallas Gateway Lady Gators, Italy’s “Ladies of Layups” put in a total team effort. Everyone pitched in during the 1st half. The Gateway Lady Gators started out strong as well matching Italy shot for shot. Thanks to a last second steal and a buzzer beating layup by Italy’s #12 Alma Suaste, Italy took a 16-15 lead into halftime.

The Lady Gladiators began to pull slowly away in the 3rd period. Point Guard Khadijiah Davis #34 was all over the court making plays for Italy.

Shelbi Gilley #21 and Alma Suaste #12 anchored Italy’s defensive effort while Kaytlyn Bales #22 and Sa’Kendra Norwood #23 controlled the boards. Italy’s lead after the 3rd period was 26-19.

The Lady Gladiators JV defense prepared for a late Gateway Gator rally that never happened. Italy shutout Gateway in the 4th and added another 6-points of their own. Italy’s #23 Sa’Kendra Norwood put in the final nail with a layup late in the game and the Lady Gladiators closed the deal 34-19.

Italy Gladiators JV Boys – As always, Italy started fast against the Dallas Gateway Gators swishing a 3-pointer. The rest of the period was relatively calm but Italy managed to build a 7-2 lead by the end of the 1st period.

Italy doubled their point total in the 2nd period while Gateway only added 3-points to their score. Italy had established their dominance and cruised into halftime with a 14-5 advantage.

The 3rd period was more intense as both squads were not finding ways to score. It looked as though Gateway was going to steal the momentum from Italy by hitting a 3-pointer to close out the 3rd. The bucket made the score 23-14 but with only 3 seconds left, Italy’s Aaron Thomas splashed in a 3-pointer to push Italy’s lead to 26-14 going into the fnal period.

Italy didn’t really seperate from the jaws of the Gators until the 5:44 mark of the 4th period. After Italy missed a free shot attempt, Jase “Highlight” Holden dove out-of-bounds and slapped the ball back to Ethan Saxon #21. Saxon scored the layup and Italy led 28-15. Italy then forced a turnover and Thomas inbounded to Holden who swished the 3-pointer to give Italy a 31-15 advantage.

Italy’s #11 Brandon Souder put the finishing touches on Italy’s performance with a medium-range jumper at the 1:13 mark making the final score 40-18…and Coach Mayberry finally smiled.