Lady Gladiators & Gladiators perform at high levels against Gateway

Image: All the pieces are coming together — Back row: Alyssa Richards, Jaleecia Fleming, Kaitlyn Rossa and Chante Birdsong. Front row: Kyonne Birdsong and Jameka Copeland. Don’t let those sweet smiles fool you. The Lady Gladiators are starting to gel and are ready to stomp their district competition.

All the pieces are coming together — Back row: Alyssa Richards, Jaleecia Fleming, Kaitlyn Rossa and Chante Birdsong. Front row: Kyonne Birdsong and Jameka Copeland. Don’t let those sweet smiles fool you. The Lady Gladiators are starting to gel and are ready to stomp their district competition. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brianna banks one — Brianna Burkhalter(23) is learning on the fly after being recently moved up to the varsity squad.

Brianna banks one — Brianna Burkhalter(23) is learning on the fly after being recently moved up to the varsity squad. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reed owns the paint — Jimesha Reed(40) scores the bucket and gets the and-1.

Reed owns the paint — Jimesha Reed(40) scores the bucket and gets the and-1. (Barry Byers)

Image: Copeland flies in — Freshman point guard Jameka Copeland(5) survives a Gator attack on her way to the rack.

Copeland flies in — Freshman point guard Jameka Copeland(5) survives a Gator attack on her way to the rack. (Barry Byers)

Image: Self proclaimed all-star — It’s safe to assume Jimesha Reed doesn’t lack confidence.

Self proclaimed all-star — It’s safe to assume Jimesha Reed doesn’t lack confidence. (Barry Byers)

Image: Birdsong shoots — Kyonne Birdsong(10) is in the right spot at the right time.

Birdsong shoots — Kyonne Birdsong(10) is in the right spot at the right time. (Barry Byers)

Image: Straight-up good — Jase holden(4) goes straight up against gateway.

Straight-up good — Jase holden(4) goes straight up against gateway. (Barry Byers)

Image: Itson beats the pack — Bubba Itson(5) stretches for 2-points.

Itson beats the pack — Bubba Itson(5) stretches for 2-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lexie takes a moment — IHS Cheerleader Lexie Miller calls for backup against Gateway.

Lexie takes a moment — IHS Cheerleader Lexie Miller calls for backup against Gateway. (Barry Byers)

Image: IJH Cheerleaders — Backup has arrived. The Italy Junior High Cheerleaders help support the High School teams.

IJH Cheerleaders — Backup has arrived. The Italy Junior High Cheerleaders help support the High School teams. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jackson takes off — Kyle Jackson(50) leaps for the layup.

Jackson takes off — Kyle Jackson(50) leaps for the layup. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach and Dad — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley gets a “good luck” wish from his son Kort before the game against Gateway.

Coach and Dad — Italy Head Coach Kyle Holley gets a “good luck” wish from his son Kort before the game against Gateway. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV warms up — Ta’Cory Green hands to Caden Jacinto, Jake Escamilla rebounds and Corrin Frazier(20) shoots a bank shot.

JV warms up — Ta’Cory Green hands to Caden Jacinto, Jake Escamilla rebounds and Corrin Frazier(20) shoots a bank shot. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jasenio scores easy — Jasenio Anderson(11) leads the charge against Gateway.

Jasenio scores easy — Jasenio Anderson(11) leads the charge against Gateway. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coliseum Crazies — Shelbi, Maria, Abby, Kelli and Courtney cheer loud inside Italy Coliseum during the games against Gateway.

Coliseum Crazies — Shelbi, Maria, Abby, Kelli and Courtney cheer loud inside Italy Coliseum during the games against Gateway. (Barry Byers)

Image: Beast vs Gator — Jasenio “Beast” Anderson(11) takes the battle to Dallas Gateway’s Jimmy “Big City” Sykes(24).

Beast vs Gator — Jasenio “Beast” Anderson(11) takes the battle to Dallas Gateway’s Jimmy “Big City” Sykes(24). (Barry Byers)

Image: Desmond closes in — Desmond Anderson(15) takes it to the Gator defense.

Desmond closes in — Desmond Anderson(15) takes it to the Gator defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: The right touch — Jasenio Anderson(11) gets the job done from the free throw line.

The right touch — Jasenio Anderson(11) gets the job done from the free throw line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Elevating their game — The Gladiators elevated their game as Jasenio Anderson(11) attacks Gateway from above.

Elevating their game — The Gladiators elevated their game as Jasenio Anderson(11) attacks Gateway from above. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bouncing baby boy — Cason Green, the son of Alexis Coots and Detrick Green, is having a bouncing good time at the basketball game.

Bouncing baby boy — Cason Green, the son of Alexis Coots and Detrick Green, is having a bouncing good time at the basketball game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Over the top — Colton Campbell(5) and the Gladiators win over Gateway 88-59.

Over the top — Colton Campbell(5) and the Gladiators win over Gateway 88-59. (Barry Byers)

Image: Creating in space — Italy’s John Isaac(10) drives into Dallas.

Creating in space — Italy’s John Isaac(10) drives into Dallas. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath hoops — Heath Clemons(2) shoots the deep ball against a Gator defense that seemed stuck in mud.

Heath hoops — Heath Clemons(2) shoots the deep ball against a Gator defense that seemed stuck in mud. (Barry Byers)

Image: Big fans — The Gladiators and Lady Gladiators make an impression with their biggest fans.

Big fans — The Gladiators and Lady Gladiators make an impression with their biggest fans. (Barry Byers)

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