ITALY – Shaking off the emotions of Senior Night, the Varsity girls hit the floor running building a 15-8 lead by the end of the 1st quarter. A 3-pointer by Senior #5 Becca DeMoss got the Italy Lady Gladiators going to start the game. Not to go unoticed was Italy’s #3 Kaitlyn Rossa who applied pressure defensively on Dallas Faith Family’s ball handlers while managing to lead all scores with 6-points in the 1st.

The 2nd saw a rally by Dallas Faith led by #4 R. Washington who swished two 3-pointers in the period. Italy’s DeMoss matched that with two 3-pointers of her own as the Lady Gladiators kept setting the pace. Megan Richards #22 and Kyonne Birdsong #10 got involved as well scoring a basket each. Having the green light from Head Coach Stacy McDonald, Senior Blanca Figueroa #21 let it fly allowing the skilled Italy rebounders to preserve offensive possesions and score on put-backs. The Lady Gladiators survived the storm and carried a 28-25 lead into the break.

Halftime – Coach Stacy McDonald introduced Italy’s 7th and 8th grade Lady Gladiators squads who were being recognized for their efforts this season. The 7th grade squad’s record was 6-5 and the 8th grade squad finished the season unbeaten. Molly Haight presented all the players with personalized carnations.

In the 3rd, both squads picked it up on the defensive end. A relatively low scoring quarter, the game was knotted at 30-30. Dallas Faith was unable to capitalize on Italy miscues. DeMoss ended the standoff when she ripped the net with a 3-pointer to make it 33-30 in Italy’s favor. With the clock counting down from 12 seconds, #10 Kyonne Birdsong decided not to pass and dropped in a 3-point dagger beating the buzzer. The heroic shot gave the Lady Gladiators breathing room going into the 4th, 36-30.

In the final period, two baskets by Rossa and Demoss, two free throws by Reed and a 3-point bomb from Richards, left Italy clinging to a 45-43 lead. Italy attempted to drain the clock, but with 6 seconds remaining, Dallas Faith inbounded the ball to Washington. Italy was able to disrupt her rhythim, just enough, and Washington’s 3-point attempt rolled off the rim…and Italy fans celebrated!

When Coach McDonald was asked how does she feel about her girls (Lady Gladiators) as they come off a two game winning streak heading into the playoffs, she had this to say, "Ok, how do I feel about my girls? Well, I feel that they finally feel like “my” girls. They are doing what I ask of them, they are believing in our system, they are executing our game plan, they are playing like “my” girls would play…HARD, INTENSE, PASSIONATE, HUSTLING, SCRAPPY."

Coach McDonald went on to say, “The reason I accepted this job was because I wanted to be in a place where I could build a program that would produce CHAMPIONS… District and eventually State. I wanted to build a powerhouse that would be great year after year. I could not have asked for 2 better seniors to lead us in laying this foundation to our perennial powerhouse. We have made the playoffs in our first year together, and I can promise you it’s only going to get better.”

“From seventh grade up I see players who are getting the itch. They are finally understanding what it is all about. They know I am going to push them to get the very best out of them on and off the court. They know that I care about every aspect of their life, and that I expect them to work and act like champions in all areas. We will be champions by choice, choosing to outwork everyone else! This year has been about hard work. Our motto is Hard Work pays off! It definitely has for “MY” Lady Gladiators! I am so very proud of all of our teams. Wow, our future is BRIGHT!"

Lady Gladiator Scoring:
5-Becca DeMoss, 16-points (4, 3-pointers)
3-Kaitlyn Rossa, 9-points
40-Jimesha Reed, 6-points
32-Kyonne Birdsong, 5-points (1, 3-pointer)
22-Megan Richards, 5-points (1, 3-pointer)
32-Shay Fleming, 4-points

Dallas FF Scoring:
33-J. Russell, 24-points
4-R. Washington, 11-points (3, 3-pointers)