Italy Junior High Girls get tested by Dallas Life Lions

Barry Byers Posted December 9, 2009 3:30pm Lady Gladiator Basketball

Image: 7th grader Jaclynn Lewis keeps her team close against Dallas Life — Despite valliant efforts by both Italy Junior High Girls squads, the Dallas Life Junior High Lady Lions won both games with the 8th grade game being decided in the final seconds. — 7th grader Jaclynn Lewis keeps her team close against Dallas Life — Despite valliant efforts by both Italy Junior High Girls squads, the Dallas Life Junior High Lady Lions won both games with the 8th grade game being decided in the final seconds. (Barry Byers)

7th Grade Girls:
The Dallas Life 7th grade Lady Lions jumped out to a 9-0 lead over Italy’s 7th grade Lady Gladiators. Italy’s Kortnei Johnson finally got the Girls in Gold on the board at the 3:54 mark of the 1st to make the score 9-2.

Italy’s defense consisting of Madison Washington, Kelsey Nelson, Jaclynn Lewis and Bailey Eubank were gathering rebounds but the Lady Gladiators struggled to pass over the press defense of Dallas Life resulting in fastbreak opportunities for the Lady Lions.

Therefore, Italy Coach Tina Richards changed her defense from a man-to-man into a 2-3 zone. The move proved effective as the fast pace set by the Lady Lions slowed allowing Italy to pull within one 11-10.

Italy’s girls finally took their first lead 15-13 after point guard Tara Wallis dropped in a 3-pointer, 3:10 left in the first half. Answering the challenge, Dallas Life scored with 0:50 left and again with only 0:15 left to stay in front 17-15 at halftime.

The third quarter was all Dallas Life as they out scored Italy 14-7 to take a 31-22 advantage into the final quarter.

After leading 33-22, Dallas Life had a key player foul out with 5:15 remaining in the game, opening the door for an Italy comeback.

However, Italy’s Johnson was accidentally tripped on her way to the basket resulting in her untimely exit from the game. Despite not having Johnson in the line-up, Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis quickly scored inside to make the score 33-24.

Moments later, Italy’s Wallis dashed down the floor on a fastbreak and passed over to Bailey DeBorde who wasted no time in scoring the basket to pull Italy closer, 33-26.

Dallas Life made the score 35-26 with 2:50 remaining as Italy’s struggles continued against the Lady Lions press defense. Both sides traded one last basket and the game ended with Dallas Life the victor, 37-28.

Italy’s 7th grade girls are now 2-2 on the season but will try to improve that mark in their away game against Hampton Prep next Monday, December 14 starting at 5:00 p.m.

8th Grade Girls:
Taylor Turner, Ashley Harper, Jesica Wilkins and Monserrat Figueroa were playing well but the Dallas Life 8th grade Lady Lions held an 8-4 lead at halftime over Italy’s 8th grade girls.

Italy’s Kendra Copeland led a second half charge for the Lady Gladiators to pull Italy within 1-point, 10-9.

A Ryisha Copeland jumpshot, late in the 4th, put the 8th Grade Lady Gladiators up by 1-point, 11-10. Dallas Life quickly responded and dribbled the length of the floor to hit the go ahead layup with 0:15 remaining.

Italy was unable to get another shot up and just missed scoring their first win of the season as the undefeated 8th grade Dallas Life Lady Lions keep their record spotless.

Italy’s fast improving 8th grade girls will get a chance to earn that elusive first win on Monday, December 14 as they travel with the 7th grade girls squad to play Hampton Prep. The 8th Grade girls game starts at 6:00 p.m.

Go Italy Junior High Lady Gladiators!

Jaclynn and Madison — Italy’s Madison Washington(32) and Jaclynn Lewis(41) get ready for the tip-off. (Barry Byers)

Everybody lean in — Coach Matt Coker and the 7th grade girls fall in for a break before their game against Dallas Life. (Barry Byers)

Here we go Italy! — Madison Washington(32) and Tara Wallis(2) advance the ball past midcourt. (Barry Byers)

Jaclynn inbounds — Jaclynn tries to inbound the ball. (Barry Byers)

Kelsey’s covered — Italy’s Kelsey Nelson tries to pass the ball to point guard Tara Wallis. (Barry Byers)

Lewis goes for it — Jaclynn Lewis(41) works the low block against the Lady Lions. (Barry Byers)

Tara wills it in — Tara Wallis(2) tries to will the ball into the hoop. (Barry Byers)

Lewis again — Jaclynn Lewis led her team in scoring with 12-points. (Barry Byers)

Minton from outside — Alex Minton tries a long shot against the Lady Lions defense. (Barry Byers)

Tara scores — Tara Wallis(2) finishes off the fastbreak. (Barry Byers)

Kortnei’s athletic — Kortnei Johnson shows her potential but, unfortunately, had to exit the game early due to an injury. (Barry Byers)

Johnson jumps — Kortnei Johnson jumps over a Lady Lion. (Barry Byers)

Tara drives baseline — Tara Wallis(2) is a terror to opposing defenses as she drives the baseline against Dallas Life. (Barry Byers)

Down and out — Italy’s Kortnei Johnson falls hard and had to leave the game early as concerned Coach, Stacy McDonald, and Italy ISD Nurse, Rita Garza, check on her. (Barry Byers)

Defense! — 8th graders Taylor Turner(31) and Ryisha Copeland(14) try to slow down a fast charging Lady Lion. (Barry Byers)

Kendra covers — Kendra Copeland(13) tries to convince a Dallas Life player to pass the ball. (Barry Byers)

Copeland shoots — Kendra Copeland(13) shoots over the head of a Lady Lion. (Barry Byers)

Rebound! — Monserrat Figueroa(40) and teammate Kendra Copeland(13) try to grab the rebound as Taylor Turner(31), Ashley Harper(15) and Ryisha Copeland(14) move in. (Barry Byers)

Ryisha tries to rebound — Ryisha Copeland and her 8th grade girls lost 12-11 as the Dallas Life Lady Lions scored the go ahead points with 0:15 left in game. (Barry Byers)