Junior High Gladiators try to out hoop Red Oak Life

Image: Italy’s 7th Grade Girls pull out a win against Red Oak Life — Italy 7th Grader Madison Washington(32) rips away a rebound against the Red Oak Life Lady Eagles as Jaclynn Lewis(41) lends a hand and Tara Wallis(2) stays back to prevent the fastbreak.

Italy’s 7th Grade Girls pull out a win against Red Oak Life — Italy 7th Grader Madison Washington(32) rips away a rebound against the Red Oak Life Lady Eagles as Jaclynn Lewis(41) lends a hand and Tara Wallis(2) stays back to prevent the fastbreak. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaclynn scores inside — Jaclynn Lewis(41) banks in 2-points against the Lady Eagles.

Jaclynn scores inside — Jaclynn Lewis(41) banks in 2-points against the Lady Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lewis banks it — Jaclynn Lewis(41) puts up a shot against Red Oak Life.

Lewis banks it — Jaclynn Lewis(41) puts up a shot against Red Oak Life. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tara terrorizes ROL — Italy 7th grader Tara Wallis(2) steals the ball and drives all the way to the basket. Since she scored, Officer Morgan decided not to right her a speeding ticket for driving too fast in the lane.

Tara terrorizes ROL — Italy 7th grader Tara Wallis(2) steals the ball and drives all the way to the basket. Since she scored, Officer Morgan decided not to right her a speeding ticket for driving too fast in the lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Both sides huddle — Coaches Tina Richards and Matt Coker have a plan to finish off the Lady Eagles.

Both sides huddle — Coaches Tina Richards and Matt Coker have a plan to finish off the Lady Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jesica boards — Italy 8th grader, Jesica Wilkins(22), fights for the rebound.

Jesica boards — Italy 8th grader, Jesica Wilkins(22), fights for the rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kendra from the line — Italy 8th grader, Kendra Copeland(12), tries to navigate the ball down into the rim.

Kendra from the line — Italy 8th grader, Kendra Copeland(12), tries to navigate the ball down into the rim. (Barry Byers)

Image: Oh the humanity! — Italy’s Jesica Wilkins(in the back), Kendra Copeland(12) and Taylor Turner(31) combine to stop this Lady Eagle shooter.

Oh the humanity! — Italy’s Jesica Wilkins(in the back), Kendra Copeland(12) and Taylor Turner(31) combine to stop this Lady Eagle shooter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taylor challenges — Italy 8th grader, Taylor Turner(31), challenges a Red Oak Life player for the rebound.

Taylor challenges — Italy 8th grader, Taylor Turner(31), challenges a Red Oak Life player for the rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: J.T. drops one — Point guard J.T. Escamilla(12) makes a point for the 7th grade squad from the charity stripe.

J.T. drops one — Point guard J.T. Escamilla(12) makes a point for the 7th grade squad from the charity stripe. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chace flings it — Chace McGinnis(13) inbounds the ball higher than an Eagle.

Chace flings it — Chace McGinnis(13) inbounds the ball higher than an Eagle. (Barry Byers)

Image: John from the elbow — John Byers goes up for a shot against the Eagles.

John from the elbow — John Byers goes up for a shot against the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelton defends — Italy 7th graders Kelton Bales(55) and Chace McGinnis(13) play tough in the zone.

Kelton defends — Italy 7th graders Kelton Bales(55) and Chace McGinnis(13) play tough in the zone. (Barry Byers)

Image: J.T. protects the hoop — J.T. Escamilla(12) says, “Not in my dome!”

J.T. protects the hoop — J.T. Escamilla(12) says, “Not in my dome!” (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin loosens up — 8th grader Justin Wood practices his free throw shooting before his team’s game against Red Oak Life.

Justin loosens up — 8th grader Justin Wood practices his free throw shooting before his team’s game against Red Oak Life. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin practices — 8th grader Kevin Roldan gets warmed up before the game.

Kevin practices — 8th grader Kevin Roldan gets warmed up before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trey makes a free shot — Italy 8th grader, Trevon Robertson(15), knocks down a free throw.

Trey makes a free shot — Italy 8th grader, Trevon Robertson(15), knocks down a free throw. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey for three — Baily Walton(13) lets it fly for the Italy 8th grade Junior High team.

Bailey for three — Baily Walton(13) lets it fly for the Italy 8th grade Junior High team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Wood gets up — Justin Wood(4) controls the boards with help from Trevon Robertson(15).

Wood gets up — Justin Wood(4) controls the boards with help from Trevon Robertson(15). (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin scores inside — Justin Wood(4) scores inside against the Eagles.

Justin scores inside — Justin Wood(4) scores inside against the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey fastbreaks — Walton scores on a drive to the hoop as Kevin Roldan(41) provides the backup.

Bailey fastbreaks — Walton scores on a drive to the hoop as Kevin Roldan(41) provides the backup. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(41) posts-up down low against the Red Oak Life Eagles.

Kevin Roldan(41) posts-up down low against the Red Oak Life Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Return to story