Lady Gladiators vs. Corsicana Lady Tigers: Summer League Hoops

Barry Byers Posted Lady Gladiator Basketball
Image: Jameka Copeland pops a jumper over Corsicana — Lady Gladiator point guard Jameka “Meka” Copeland knocks down a jumper against Corsicana on Monday during the first summer league game for both teams. Despite a strong finish by Italy, Corsicana eventually won the matchup 43-34.

Jameka Copeland pops a jumper over Corsicana — Lady Gladiator point guard Jameka “Meka” Copeland knocks down a jumper against Corsicana on Monday during the first summer league game for both teams. Despite a strong finish by Italy, Corsicana eventually won the matchup 43-34. (Barry Byers)

Waxahachie — The 1A Lady Gladiators, with their head head coach Stacy McDonald playing the role of a fan in the stands, began their Summer League Basketball schedule against the 4A Corsicana Tigers on Monday at Waxahachie High School.

Playing 20:00 halves, the Lady Gladiators were off to a quick start after Kaitlyn Rossa tossed in a 3-pointer to make the score 5-2. The Lady Tigers were not deterred and battled back, tying the game 9-9. Italy’s Jameka Copeland secured a loose ball and bolted down the court to score the layup and draw the and-1. Copeland’s free shot rimmed off but Italy was back in front 11-9.

The war raged on as turnovers created pileups and scrambles for loose balls. Italy continued to lead 17-16 with 2:00 left in the half but the Lady Tigers finished with a flurry to take a 20-17 advantage at the break.

Italy was sluggish to start the next 20:00 and Corsicana took advantage building a 25-17 margin. Copeland then sliced through the Lady Tigers finishing with a right-handed layup to close the deficit 25-19. A steal by Kyonne Birdsong who passed ahead to a waiting Brianna Burkhalter pulled Italy within 4-points, 25-21.

Corsicana earned a trip to the foul line and dropped in both free throws to get the Lady Tigers rolling again. Italy’s bigs sat down for a breather leaving the Lady Gladiators undersized on the boards. Corsicana capitalized, once more, and grew their lead 35-23, and then 38-23 after back-to-back, uncontested, three point daggers.

Italy’s Shelbi Gilley swished a bucket from the left corner and Birdsong hit a 3-pointer to make the score 43-30 with 3:00 remaining and Corsicana in the lead.

Brianna Burkhalter split two defenders and put up a shot that bounced off but Burkhalter stayed with it to score the put-back, 43-32 Corsicana leads with 1:20 left.

Copeland added another break-away layup before time expired to help Italy outscore Corsicana 11-5 in the final 3:00. Despite the strong finish by the Lady Gladiators, Corsicana gets the win 43-34.

Overall, not a bad first outing for Italy. Copeland is playing with great confidence at point guard after helping the Lady Gladiators win a bi-district championship as a freshman. Jimesha Reed proved she is a force to be reckoned with even for 4A Corsicana, if she can stay on the court.

Rossa is in a transitional stage from where she left off last season and the next level she’s trying to reach. Expect Rossa, a junior next season, to rise to playmaker status as Italy makes a bid for another playoff run.

Burkhalter could be an x-factor as she brings energy and wreckless abandon to the court, similar to the way Eduardo Najera used to energize the Dallas Maverick’s lineup between 2000-2004. For example; Burkhalter took an elbow to the nose going for a rebound Monday and immediately shook it off. The ball went off the hands of a Lady Tiger, thanks to Burhalter’s nose, saving the possession for Italy.

A couple of new faces were mixed into the lineup on Monday as well. Gilley was on the JV squad last season, Lacie Lopez returns and track runner Jessica Hernandez is giving basketball a shot, adding quickness to Italy’s roster.

If Birdsong becomes a consistent outside threat, the sky is the limit for the Lady Gladiators in 2011.

Italy’s next scheduled summer league game will be Wednesday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Waxahachie High School.

Remaining Summer League Schedule:

  • Wednesday, May 26, 7:00 p.m. @ WHS
  • Wednesday, June 2, 5:00 p.m. @ WHS
  • Monday, June 14, 5:30 p.m. @ WHS
  • Wednesday, June 23, 4:30 p.m. @ WHS
  • Monday, June 28, 5:30 p.m. @ WHS
  • Wednesday, June 30, 5:30 p.m. @ WHS

Monday’s lineup:

  • Lacie Lopez
  • Shelbi Gilley
  • Jimesha Reed
  • Brianna Burkhalter
  • Kyonne Birdsong
  • Jessica Hernandez
  • Kaitlyn Rossa
  • Jameka Copeland

Go Lady Gladiators!

Lady Indians vs. Lady Panthers:
The 5A Waxahachie Lady Indians put on a show, against 5A newcomer, the Midlothian Lady Panthers on Monday. Coached by 2009 WHS graduate Amanda Mangan, and head coach Lesli Preibe who was watching from the bleachers, the Lady Indians held a comfortable 31-16 lead at the break.

Lead by point guard Chanelle Miller, a senior next season, the Lady Indians finished off Midlothian 53-32 to win their summer league opener.