8th Grade Girls try to K.O. the Wampus Cats

Image: Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry denies Itasca — The 8th grade girls have a deep desire to win and a big part of that is Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry as she blocks this shot attempt by Itasca to help preserve a 34-25 win for the Lady Gladiators.

Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry denies Itasca — The 8th grade girls have a deep desire to win and a big part of that is Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry as she blocks this shot attempt by Itasca to help preserve a 34-25 win for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Katie and Brianna — Italy’s Katie Byers and Brianna Perry are all smiles before their game against Itasca.

Katie and Brianna — Italy’s Katie Byers and Brianna Perry are all smiles before their game against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Preparing for battle — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry and #21 Chante Birdsong get prepared for Itasca.

Preparing for battle — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry and #21 Chante Birdsong get prepared for Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Byers gets loose — Katie Byers #40 practices from the charity stripe during the pre-game warm up. Byers later earned 1-point from the line in the game against Itasca.

Byers gets loose — Katie Byers #40 practices from the charity stripe during the pre-game warm up. Byers later earned 1-point from the line in the game against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Deborah and Annie — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry’s mother Deborah Perry and youngest sister Annie Perry (an IYAA hoopstar) are enjoying the game.

Deborah and Annie — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry’s mother Deborah Perry and youngest sister Annie Perry (an IYAA hoopstar) are enjoying the game. (Barry Byes)

Image: Perry intimidates — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry shouts words of encouragement at an Itasca shooter.

Perry intimidates — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry shouts words of encouragement at an Itasca shooter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Richards battles — Italy’s Alyssa Richards is the enforcer for the Girls 8th grade squad providing the attitude as she rips this ball away from an Itasca player.

Richards battles — Italy’s Alyssa Richards is the enforcer for the Girls 8th grade squad providing the attitude as she rips this ball away from an Itasca player. (Barry Byers)

Image: Anna blocks view — Anna pressures the inbound pass from Itasca and forces the turnover as the pass deflects off the back of the backboard a setting up an Italy score.

Anna blocks view — Anna pressures the inbound pass from Itasca and forces the turnover as the pass deflects off the back of the backboard a setting up an Italy score. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa goes up strong — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards puts up 2-points for Italy.

Alyssa goes up strong — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards puts up 2-points for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Perry’s fouled hard — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry gets fouled hard and is hurled into photograhers row.

Perry’s fouled hard — Italy’s #10 Brianna Perry gets fouled hard and is hurled into photograhers row. (Barry Byers)

Image: True to form — True to form, Perry puts in a free throw for Italy.

True to form — True to form, Perry puts in a free throw for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Richards to rebound — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards watches the1st of 2 free shot attempts by an Itasca Wampus Cat.

Richards to rebound — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards watches the1st of 2 free shot attempts by an Itasca Wampus Cat. (Barry Byers)

Image: Byers sinks one — Katie receives kudos from her teammates after sticking a free throw against Itasca.

Byers sinks one — Katie receives kudos from her teammates after sticking a free throw against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Richards overpowers — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards shakes off a Wampus Cat.

Richards overpowers — Italy’s #24 Alyssa Richards shakes off a Wampus Cat. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paola Mata — Italy’s #2 Paola Mata scores again leaping toward the basket.

Paola Mata — Italy’s #2 Paola Mata scores again leaping toward the basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Copeland scores — Jameka Copeland #5 lays it in for two.

Copeland scores — Jameka Copeland #5 lays it in for two. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paola feels no pressure — Italy’s #2 Paola Mata relaxes before making a free shot against Itasca.

Paola feels no pressure — Italy’s #2 Paola Mata relaxes before making a free shot against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach McDonald strategizes — A passionate, basketball loving 8th Grade Girls squad, is all business on the bench.

Coach McDonald strategizes — A passionate, basketball loving 8th Grade Girls squad, is all business on the bench. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jameka finishes — Finishing off another fast break against Itasca is #5 Jameka Copeland.

Jameka finishes — Finishing off another fast break against Itasca is #5 Jameka Copeland. (Barry Byers)

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