Italy’s Lady Gladiators start the Holidays with wins over Aquilla

Image: The Italy Lady Gladiators “SWISH” their fans a Merry Christmas! — Coaches Stacy McDonald and Tina Richards, along with the Italy Lady Gladiators basketball players, would like to wish all their fans a Merry Christmas! Top row: Khadija Davis, Mary Tate, Chante Birdsong, Lacie Lopez, Brianna Burkhalter and Nikki Brashear Middle row: Danyelle Baugher, Coach Stacy McDonald, Destani Anderson, Maria Luna, Coach Tina Richards, Sa’Kendra Norwood Bottom row: Kaitlyn Rossa, Kyonne Birdsong, Alyssa Richards, Jaleecia Fleming, Megan Richards, Jameka Copeland and Jimesha Reed.

The Italy Lady Gladiators “SWISH” their fans a Merry Christmas! — Coaches Stacy McDonald and Tina Richards, along with the Italy Lady Gladiators basketball players, would like to wish all their fans a Merry Christmas! Top row: Khadija Davis, Mary Tate, Chante Birdsong, Lacie Lopez, Brianna Burkhalter and Nikki Brashear Middle row: Danyelle Baugher, Coach Stacy McDonald, Destani Anderson, Maria Luna, Coach Tina Richards, Sa’Kendra Norwood Bottom row: Kaitlyn Rossa, Kyonne Birdsong, Alyssa Richards, Jaleecia Fleming, Megan Richards, Jameka Copeland and Jimesha Reed. (Barry Byers)

Image: Can’t stop Chante — Chante Birdsong(5) scores 2 of her 17-points against Aquilla as Nikki Brashear(40) and Brianna Burkhalter(22) move in.

Can’t stop Chante — Chante Birdsong(5) scores 2 of her 17-points against Aquilla as Nikki Brashear(40) and Brianna Burkhalter(22) move in.

Image: Chante has range — The fearless Chante Birdsong(5) shows her range.

Chante has range — The fearless Chante Birdsong(5) shows her range.

Image: Burkhalter banks one — Brianna Burkhalter(22) scores inside against Aquilla.

Burkhalter banks one — Brianna Burkhalter(22) scores inside against Aquilla.

Image: Birdsong fast breaks — Mary Tate(11) holds Aquilla back while Chante Birdsong(5) scores again.

Birdsong fast breaks — Mary Tate(11) holds Aquilla back while Chante Birdsong(5) scores again.

Image: Brianna goes up — Brianna Burkhalter(22) goes up strong over the Lady Cougars as Lacie Lopez(10) tries to get to the boards.

Brianna goes up — Brianna Burkhalter(22) goes up strong over the Lady Cougars as Lacie Lopez(10) tries to get to the boards.

Image: Burkhalter brings it — Brianna Burkhalter(22) shoots a free throw while Mary Tate(11) leans in.

Burkhalter brings it — Brianna Burkhalter(22) shoots a free throw while Mary Tate(11) leans in.

Image: Birdsong finishes — Chante Birdsong(5) attacks the Lady Cougars defense.

Birdsong finishes — Chante Birdsong(5) attacks the Lady Cougars defense.

Image: Khadija shoots — Khadija Davis gets the shot up against Aquilla finishing with 4-points in the game.

Khadija shoots — Khadija Davis gets the shot up against Aquilla finishing with 4-points in the game.

Image: Tate for two — In the midst of a big-time defensive performance, Mary Tate(11) shows she has offensive skills as she shoots over a Lady Cougar.

Tate for two — In the midst of a big-time defensive performance, Mary Tate(11) shows she has offensive skills as she shoots over a Lady Cougar.

Image: Baugher battles — Danyelle Baugher(2) battles for 2-points against Aquilla.

Baugher battles — Danyelle Baugher(2) battles for 2-points against Aquilla.

Image: Chante scores — Chante Birdsong(5) puts in 2 more for the Italy JV Lady Gladiators.

Chante scores — Chante Birdsong(5) puts in 2 more for the Italy JV Lady Gladiators.

Image: JV gift wraps a win — Italy JV Coach Tina Richards has her team playing at a high level going into the Holiday break.

JV gift wraps a win — Italy JV Coach Tina Richards has her team playing at a high level going into the Holiday break.

Image: Alyssa shoots inside — Alyssa Richards(24) rises for a shot against Aquilla.

Alyssa shoots inside — Alyssa Richards(24) rises for a shot against Aquilla.

Image: Rossa on another level — Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) has elevated her game for the 2009-2010 season.

Rossa on another level — Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) has elevated her game for the 2009-2010 season.

Image: Fleming pump fakes — Jaleecia Fleming(32) fakes the shot and then banks it in for 2 of her 8-points against Aquilla.

Fleming pump fakes — Jaleecia Fleming(32) fakes the shot and then banks it in for 2 of her 8-points against Aquilla.

Image: Birthday Girl scores — Kyonne Birdsong celebrates her birthday by swishing a 3-pointer over the Aquilla Lady Cougars.

Birthday Girl scores — Kyonne Birdsong celebrates her birthday by swishing a 3-pointer over the Aquilla Lady Cougars.

Image: Rossa attacks — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) finished off the Lady Cougars after Italy’s Jimesha Reed left the game to ice her sore knee.

Rossa attacks — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) finished off the Lady Cougars after Italy’s Jimesha Reed left the game to ice her sore knee.

Image: Sportsgirlship — The Lady Gladiators and the Aquilla Lady Cougars offer their hands in a show of good sportsgirlship.

Sportsgirlship — The Lady Gladiators and the Aquilla Lady Cougars offer their hands in a show of good sportsgirlship.

Image: Happy Birthday! — Italy’s Kyonne Birdsong(10) (on the left) gets congratulations for swishing a 3-pointer on her birthday from teammate Jameka Copeland(5) after the game.

Happy Birthday! — Italy’s Kyonne Birdsong(10) (on the left) gets congratulations for swishing a 3-pointer on her birthday from teammate Jameka Copeland(5) after the game.

Image: Sugar, spice and ice — Even though she had to take an early exit from the game to ice her knee, Italy’s Jimesha Reed(40) was happy that her teammates finished strong and shared a smile with Jameka Copeland(5) afterwards.

Sugar, spice and ice — Even though she had to take an early exit from the game to ice her knee, Italy’s Jimesha Reed(40) was happy that her teammates finished strong and shared a smile with Jameka Copeland(5) afterwards.

Image: 5 reasons to watch — Jameka Copeland shows off her #5 Lady Gladiator jersey that she plans on making famous. She can dribble, pass, shoot, score and lead…watch out for #5!

5 reasons to watch — Jameka Copeland shows off her #5 Lady Gladiator jersey that she plans on making famous. She can dribble, pass, shoot, score and lead…watch out for #5!

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