Lady Gladiators – Friday night was both, Parent’s Night and Italy Freshman #22 Megan Richards’s 15th Birthday. And all Megan wished was for her Lady Gladiators Varsity squad to go to the basketball playoffs. It would take an Italy win over the Advantage Academy of Grand Prairie’s (GPAA) Lady Eagles and an Itasca win over Dallas Faith Family to make her wish come true.

Italy had to take care of business on their end and come up with a win against GPAA. Italy got the party started when #3 Kaitlyn Rossa won the tip-off. Then Italy’s #5 Becca DeMoss scored early in the 1st by making a toast to Megan by rising for a 3-pointer in her honor. The score remained 3-0 with Italy still leading until the1:52 mark in the period when GPAA’s #32 scored inside to make it a 3-2 game, Italy’s lead.

Italy’s #40 Jimesha Reed busted a move in the paint earning a shooting foul with :36 left in the 1st. Reed hit 1-of-2 free shots to increase Italy’s lead 4-2 going into the 2nd period.

Italy played a party game in the 2nd called “Put the ball in the bucket” while GPAA sat all alone on the bench. You know, like those kids your parents made you invite even though you really didn’t want to.

Anyway, The Lady Gladiators began collecting points like candy busted out of the piñata. Italy’s Shay Fleming received a party foul when she accidentally slammed a GPAA player to the ground while the two were battling for the ball.

So Megan scored from the baseline to put everybody back in the party mood. DeMoss put the icing on the 1st half cake with a well wishing shot from the right wing giving the Lady Gladiators an 18-5 halftime lead.

Halftime

The party continued on into the 3rd period highlighted by a 3-point shot by the birthday girl. Megan’s basket helped Italy build a 29-13 lead going into the final period.

Italy’s DeMoss added a 3-pointer in the 4th period to help Megan blow out the candles. Richards’s grandfather, Greg Richards (from her dad’s side), ate popcorn. And her grandmother, Rita Garza (from her mom’s side), couldn’t stop celebrating.

Megan’s teammates helped her have her cake and eat it too as the Italy Lady Gladiators win 44-15 and make the playoffs for the 1st time since 2006 under new Head Coach Stacy McDonald.

Lady Gladiator scoring:
5-Becca DeMoss, 15-points
22-Megan Richards, 11-points (Happy 15th Birthday Megan!
40-Jimesha Reed, 9-points
32-Shay Fleming, 5-points
3-Kaitlyn Rossa, 2-points
10-Kyonne Birdsong, 2-points

Italy Gladiators – Oh by the way, The Varsity Boys played a game against Advantage Academy of Grand Prairie’s (GPAA) Eagles as well. Italy’s Jasenio Anderson had the night off nursing a sprained right ankle he injured against Dallas Gateway. Heath Clemons (#2) filled in at the guard spot for Anderson helping Italy to a 26-14 1st period lead.

Italy’s #10 John Isaac helped H. Clemons carry the load and Italy pulled away by halftime 45-22.

Halftime

Starters like #5 Dontavius Clemons and #33 Darrin Moore kept the Eagles offense grounded while Italy relied heavily on it’s young players in the 2nd half to finish off the GPAA Eagles. #21 Donald Walton served up a 3-pointer and a block while Colton Campbell swished back-to-back 3-pointers, including the buzzer beater to end the game, thrilling the crowd. Coach Kyle Holley could only smile and shake his head.

Jasenio Anderson got to enjoy his night off as Italy wins big 86-43 closing out a big night for both Italy Varsity squads.

Gladiator scoring:
John Isaac, 20-points
Colton Campbell, 13-points
Heath Clemons, 12-points
Darrin Moore, 11-points
Dan Crownover, 3-points (and added a little whoop, whoop to it)
Oscar Gonzalez – 4-points
Donald Walton 3-points
Ryan Ashcraft 2-points
Deandre Sephus 2-points