Varsity Girls vs Dallas Gateway

Barry Byers Posted February 9, 2009 7:00pm Lady Gladiator Basketball

Image: The Lady Gladiators have “IT” — I don’t know what “it” is but whatever “it” is, these girls have “it.” Do you get “it?” — The Lady Gladiators have “IT” — I don’t know what “it” is but whatever “it” is, these girls have “it.” Do you get “it?” (Anne Sutherland)

The Italy Lady Gladiators were looking for revenge against the Dallas Gateway Lady Gators. Gateway handed the Lady Gladiators one of their toughest losses earlier in the season. But this was a new day, this was a different Italy squad and the Lady Gladiators were ready to go all “Crocodile Dundee” on the Lady Gators.

It was one of the Lady Gladiators best efforts this season. They didn’t give Gateway any breathing room sticking right with them for 3 periods. However, Gateway did manage to cling to a 2-point lead going into the 2nd period 15-13.

In the 2nd, Italy’s teamwork was paying off. #5 Becca DeMoss and #10 Kyonne Birdsong each scored a bucket in the period. Junior #32 Shay Fleming shot in 4-points as Italy outscored Gateway in the period to tie the game at half 21-21.

Halftime

Although 5 different Lady Gladiators scored in the 3rd, the Gateway Lady Gators showed they had a very thick skin and came out firing in the 3rd period. Gateway’s #3 made 11-points in the period herself helping her Lady Gators swim to a 37-33 lead going into the 4th period.

The Gateway Lady Gators started the 4th using a death roll maneuver. This time it was Gateway’s #3 putting in 6-points to lead all Lady Gator scores in the period. Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed hit 2 of her 8-points in the final period while DeMoss added a 3-pointer, but it wasn’t enough.

Gateway won the war but I have a feeling that Italy’s Lady Gladiators won enough small battles to build their confidence.

Lady Gladiator scoring:
3-Kaitlyn Rossa 4-points
4-Marisela Perez, 4-points
5-Becca DeMoss, 12-points
10-Kyonne Birdsong, 2-points
3-Shay Fleming, 10-points
40-Jimesha Reed, 8-points

The Dream Team — Because of this team, young girls dream about becoming a Lady Gladiator and the boys can’t stop daydreaming about them. (Anne Sutherland)

Rossa Introduced — At power forward…she’s just a Freshman…#3…Kaitlyn Rossa!!!!!!!!!! (Anne Sutherland)

Cheerleaders Believe — The Italy Cheerleaders let Gateway fans know who is #1. (Anne Sutherland)

Reed Rocks — Reed rocks the boards against Gateway. (Anne Sutherland)

Shay has it! — Where there’s a Shay, there’s a way. (Anne Sutherland)

Becca drives — Becca Drives, as long as it is not a standard, into the lane. (Anne Sutherland)

Shay & Rossa — Shay and Rossa try to get in rebounding position during Becca’s free shot. (Anne Sutherland)

DeMoss to inbound — Help! DeMoss has a lonely feeling as she searches for a teammate. (Anne Sutherland)

Shay inbounds — Shay tries to make a play against the Gators. (Anne Sutherland)

Perez prowls — Stalking her prey is Italy’s #4 Marisela Perez. (Anne Sutherland)

Leapfrog in the paint — A Lady Gator of Gateway leapfrogs over Marisela Perez in the paint. (Anne Sutherland)

Keeping pace — Italy couldn’t quite keep pace with the Gators for four quarters. (Anne Sutherland)

Becca Scoops — Becca scoops up the ball on the way to the hoop. (Anne Sutherland)

Rossa for two — Italy’s #3 Kaitlyn Rossa, who needs no introduction, finishes the fast break. (Anne Sutherland)

Kaitlyn passes to Shay — Rossa works the ball inside to Fleming. (Anne Sutherland)

Megan to pass — Megan tries to find Shay down on the block. (Anne Sutherland)

Cross court to Megan (Anne Sutherland)

Megan is met — Megan is met at the net by a chomping Lady Gator. (Anne Sutherland)

Rossa is awesome — Kaitlyn rebounds the ball on the offensive end. (Anne Sutherland)

Perez is patient — Patiently waiting to enter the game is Marisela Perez as Head Coach McDonald instructs her defense. (Anne Sutherland)

Rossa inside — Kaitlyn Rossa trying to make something happen against the Lady Gators. (Anne Sutherland)

Reed delivers — Jimesha Reed #40 scores another bucket down low. (Anne Sutherland)

So close — This time around, Italy’s Lady Gladiators were more competitive in their 2nd matchup with Gateway. Unfortunately, the scoreboard doesn’t rate effort or Italy would have won by 100-points. (Anne Sutherland)