IYAA Week 8 – Young players become stars right before our eyes!

Image: Hunter Ballard(1) was the go-to guy during the 4th in a 31-15 win. — Italy 29’s Hunter Ballard(1) was in machine gun mode as he let loose a barrage of shots in the final minutes against Hillsboro Forest Green.

Hunter Ballard(1) was the go-to guy during the 4th in a 31-15 win. — Italy 29’s Hunter Ballard(1) was in machine gun mode as he let loose a barrage of shots in the final minutes against Hillsboro Forest Green. (Barry Byers)

Image: Believe in Destiny — We believe Destiny Harris(1) will make a great Lady Gladiator basketball player when she’s in High School.

Believe in Destiny — We believe Destiny Harris(1) will make a great Lady Gladiator basketball player when she’s in High School. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bryce concentrates — Bryce DeBorde(4) puts in a free throw at halftime.

Bryce concentrates — Bryce DeBorde(4) puts in a free throw at halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: No hands! — Rees Janek(14) seems to be impressed with Xander Galvan’s(10) balancing act.

No hands! — Rees Janek(14) seems to be impressed with Xander Galvan’s(10) balancing act. (Barry Byers)

Image: It’s a spinner — Jacee “Without the Y” Coffman spins in a pre-game layup worth 1-point.

It’s a spinner — Jacee “Without the Y” Coffman spins in a pre-game layup worth 1-point. (Barry Byers)

Image: Get the ball! — Zorian Burley, Reese Janek and Bryce DeBorde encourage their teammates before checking into the game.

Get the ball! — Zorian Burley, Reese Janek and Bryce DeBorde encourage their teammates before checking into the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Swan shot — Michael Gonzales(13) is poetry in motion from the free throw line.

Swan shot — Michael Gonzales(13) is poetry in motion from the free throw line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jenna and Emily — Jenna Holden(14) and Emily Cunningham(1) scrap fro the rebound against Hillsboro Maroon.

Jenna and Emily — Jenna Holden(14) and Emily Cunningham(1) scrap fro the rebound against Hillsboro Maroon. (Barry Byers)

Image: I love this game! — Emily Cunninham has been smiling ever since the first practice.

I love this game! — Emily Cunninham has been smiling ever since the first practice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kirby shoots — Kirby Nelson(12) shoots over the Hillsboro Maroon defense while Paige Henderson(2), Jenna Holden(14) and Emily Cunningham(1) get in rebounding position.

Kirby shoots — Kirby Nelson(12) shoots over the Hillsboro Maroon defense while Paige Henderson(2), Jenna Holden(14) and Emily Cunningham(1) get in rebounding position. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ma & Pa Nelson — Doug and Kim Nelson enjoy watching their daughters Karley Nelson and Kirby Nelson give it all they can on the basketball court.

Ma & Pa Nelson — Doug and Kim Nelson enjoy watching their daughters Karley Nelson and Kirby Nelson give it all they can on the basketball court. (Barry Byers)

Image: Emily takes over — Emily Cunningham(1) puts in 6 of her 13-points in the 4th quarter while Brycelen Richards(11), Haley Jones(3), Karley Nelson(4) and Jenna Holden(14) move in.

Emily takes over — Emily Cunningham(1) puts in 6 of her 13-points in the 4th quarter while Brycelen Richards(11), Haley Jones(3), Karley Nelson(4) and Jenna Holden(14) move in. (Barry Byers)

Image: Just having fun — Italy 13’s girls are all smiles with a big lead in the 4th quarter.

Just having fun — Italy 13’s girls are all smiles with a big lead in the 4th quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor — Ryan Connor(11) ponders his team’s performance while taking a well earned breather.

Ryan Connor — Ryan Connor(11) ponders his team’s performance while taking a well earned breather. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi soars — Levi McBride(1) tries to score over Lance McClendon(12) as Markavion Thompson(4) gets ready to rebound.

Levi soars — Levi McBride(1) tries to score over Lance McClendon(12) as Markavion Thompson(4) gets ready to rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lillie’s got game — Italy 24’s Lillie Perry(22) tied her hair up and put in a season high 7-points against Hillsboro Royal Blue.

Lillie’s got game — Italy 24’s Lillie Perry(22) tied her hair up and put in a season high 7-points against Hillsboro Royal Blue. (Barry Byers)

Image: Teaming up — Italy 24’s assistant coach Monica Lambert sits with her daughter DeCorea Green(1) before their game against Hillsboro.

Teaming up — Italy 24’s assistant coach Monica Lambert sits with her daughter DeCorea Green(1) before their game against Hillsboro. (Barry Byers)

Image: Practice pays off — After winning a jump shot contest during Thursday’s practice, Halee Turner(24) swished in a 3-pointer in the 2nd quarter of Saturday’s game before practicing her free throws at halftime.

Practice pays off — After winning a jump shot contest during Thursday’s practice, Halee Turner(24) swished in a 3-pointer in the 2nd quarter of Saturday’s game before practicing her free throws at halftime. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kendrick has hops — Kendrick Norwood(10) pulls up for a jump shot against Hillsboro Forest Green.

Kendrick has hops — Kendrick Norwood(10) pulls up for a jump shot against Hillsboro Forest Green. (Barry Byers)

Image: Firing away — Kenneth Norwood(23) takes aim at a long-range jumper.

Firing away — Kenneth Norwood(23) takes aim at a long-range jumper. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy attacks — Kenneth Norwood(23) puts up a shot against Hillsboro as Kevin Johnson(5) flies in for the rebound.

Italy attacks — Kenneth Norwood(23) puts up a shot against Hillsboro as Kevin Johnson(5) flies in for the rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Human Hurricane — Hurricane Kenneth Norwood(23) leaves a path of destruction behind him on his way to scoring a game high 7-points.

Human Hurricane — Hurricane Kenneth Norwood(23) leaves a path of destruction behind him on his way to scoring a game high 7-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: We did it! — Italy 21 coached by Edwin Wallace win their playoff game against Hillsboro Blue 29-8 and display good sportsmanship afterwards.

We did it! — Italy 21 coached by Edwin Wallace win their playoff game against Hillsboro Blue 29-8 and display good sportsmanship afterwards. (DeCorea Green)

Image: Lance McClendon — Italy 31’s Lance McClendon(12) is a rising star.

Lance McClendon — Italy 31’s Lance McClendon(12) is a rising star. (Barry Byers)

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