Italy JV & Varsity teams got back to their winning ways against Rice on Monday, December 8. The JV Lady Gladiators gobbled up the Rice Lady Bulldogs in the first of four games played inside Italy Coliseum.

Lead by the hustling Mary Tate and Chante Birdsong’s 22-points, Coach Tina Richards and her JV girls won in dominating fashion.

The JV Boys feasted off Rice’s mistakes as well to lead 30-7 after the 1st quarter and 39-13 at the half.

Strong performances turned in by Caden Jacinto, Reid Jacinto and Jake Escamilla helped Italy take a commanding 52-22 lead at the end of the 3rd before Coach Larry Mayberry’s hard working JV team finished off Rice 59-28.

The Lady Gladiators, under Head Coach Stacy McDonald, trailed 5-2 at the 3:11 mark of the 1st quarter. Italy’s Jameka Copeland scored a fast break layup to put the Lady Gladiators up 6-5 and Italy never looked back.

Kyonne Birdsong added a jumper, with 0:45 left to give Italy an 8-6 lead going into the 2nd quarter.

Scores by Kaitlyn Rossa, Jimesha Reed and Copeland seperated the Lady Gladiators from the pack of Lady Bulldogs as had a 14-8 advantage with 5:03 left in the half.

A bucket by Megan Richards made the score 16-8. Back-to-back blocks by M. Richards and Copeland setup scoring opportunities for Italy as consecutive baskets by Alyssa Richards and Copeland made the score 20-8. The Lady Gladiators lead 22-10 at the end of the 3rd.

Rossa continued to have the right touch as Italy lead 33-19 going into the 4th quarter.

M. Richards highlighted the 4th by scoring a fast break basket to help the Lady Gladiators win by 17-points, 42-25.

The Italy Gladiators, guided by Head Coach Kyle Holley, lead from the opening shot by John Isaac, with just 18 seconds into the contest, until the final buzzer sounded.

Italy’s Desmond Anderson then scored twice to give Italy a 6-0 advantage. After a Jasenio Anderson 3-pointer, the Gladiators had a 13-0 lead with 5:00 to go in the 1st quarter.

Rice finally scored to make it 13-2 but Italy’s offense couldn’t be slowed. De’Andre Sephus added a 3-pointer as well giving Italy a 24-8 lead going into the 2nd quarter.

In the 2nd, a steal and layup by D. Anderson made the score 29-10 at the the 6:28 mark. A jumper by J. Anderson from the top of the lane made the game 33-10 followed by an assist from J. Anderson to D. Anderson to make the score 35-13.

An alley-oop from Heath Clemons to De’Andre Sephus puncuated the quarter and the Gladiators lead 50-17 at intermission.

Italy eventually cooked Rice 79-31 as their excellent start to the 2009-2010 continues.

Both Varsity squads had a strong showing in the Venus Baskeball Tournament with the Gladiators winning all 3 games to take the men’s tournament championship after defeating Milford in the finale.