Gladiators & Lady Gladiators lace ’em on against Whitney

Image: The Lady Gladiators catch a breather while getting the play — Lady Gladiators Megan Richards, Jameka Copeland, Kaitlyn Rossa, Bailey Bumpus and Keyonne Birdsong get the game plan from head coach Stacy McDonald during their game against Whitney.

The Lady Gladiators catch a breather while getting the play — Lady Gladiators Megan Richards, Jameka Copeland, Kaitlyn Rossa, Bailey Bumpus and Keyonne Birdsong get the game plan from head coach Stacy McDonald during their game against Whitney. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s play some ball — JV Lady Gladiator Monserrat Figueroa(24) is ready to take on the Whitney JV Lady Wildcats inside the old Italy gym.

Let’s play some ball — JV Lady Gladiator Monserrat Figueroa(24) is ready to take on the Whitney JV Lady Wildcats inside the old Italy gym. (Barry Byers)

Image: Star treatment — Ryisha Copeland gets help with her shoe laces from assistant coach Erik Wilson before the start of the JV Girls game.

Star treatment — Ryisha Copeland gets help with her shoe laces from assistant coach Erik Wilson before the start of the JV Girls game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paola pulls up — Paola Mata(12) knocks down a jumper to help Italy’s JV Girls shoot their way to a 9-6 advantage in the first-quarter.

Paola pulls up — Paola Mata(12) knocks down a jumper to help Italy’s JV Girls shoot their way to a 9-6 advantage in the first-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Amazing shot — Italy’s point guard Kendra Copeland(10) squeezes thru two JV Lady Wildcat defenders to score this basket.

Amazing shot — Italy’s point guard Kendra Copeland(10) squeezes thru two JV Lady Wildcat defenders to score this basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taking the shot — Ryisha Copeland(00) tries to add more points to Italy’s lead before the end of the first-quarter.

Taking the shot — Ryisha Copeland(00) tries to add more points to Italy’s lead before the end of the first-quarter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lewis leaps high — Italy’s Jamal Jalarnce Lewis(20) leaps high for a basket over Whitney’s defense during the JV Boys game while teammate T.J. Cockran(33) gets ready to rebound.

Lewis leaps high — Italy’s Jamal Jalarnce Lewis(20) leaps high for a basket over Whitney’s defense during the JV Boys game while teammate T.J. Cockran(33) gets ready to rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Into the lane — Italy’s point guard Eric Carson(10) lofts in a score against the Whitney JV Wildcats.

Into the lane — Italy’s point guard Eric Carson(10) lofts in a score against the Whitney JV Wildcats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Three for two — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) takes a jumper during the Varsity girls game between Italy and Whitney.

Three for two — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) takes a jumper during the Varsity girls game between Italy and Whitney. (Barry Byers)

Image: Making a move — Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) slips inside to score between Lady Wildcat defenders.

Making a move — Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa(3) slips inside to score between Lady Wildcat defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go, Italy, go! — The Italy High School Cheerleaders help the Gladiators raise their game. Cheering are Mary Tate, Casandra Jeffords, Taylor Turner, Sierra Harris, Morgan Cockerham and Beverly Barnhart in the air.

Go, Italy, go! — The Italy High School Cheerleaders help the Gladiators raise their game. Cheering are Mary Tate, Casandra Jeffords, Taylor Turner, Sierra Harris, Morgan Cockerham and Beverly Barnhart in the air. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bumpus banks it — Lady Gladiator Bailey Bumpus(13) gets open down low for a score against Whitney.

Bumpus banks it — Lady Gladiator Bailey Bumpus(13) gets open down low for a score against Whitney. (Barry Byers)

Image: In a cloud of smoke — Team videographer Katie Byers looks on as Heath Clemons, Ryan Ashcraft and the entire Gladiators’ team prepare to enter the dome from a vail of smoke.

In a cloud of smoke — Team videographer Katie Byers looks on as Heath Clemons, Ryan Ashcraft and the entire Gladiators’ team prepare to enter the dome from a vail of smoke. (Barry Byers)

Image: Energizing the crowd — Larry Mayberry(13) and Heath Clemons(2) get energized during Italy’s pre-game introductions.

Energizing the crowd — Larry Mayberry(13) and Heath Clemons(2) get energized during Italy’s pre-game introductions. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2 athletic to stop — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) dazzles down the lane as teammate Jase Holden(3) calls for the ball.

2 athletic to stop — Gladiator Heath Clemons(2) dazzles down the lane as teammate Jase Holden(3) calls for the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase gets to the goal — Gladiator Jase Holden(3) scores to complete an Italy fast break against Whitney.

Jase gets to the goal — Gladiator Jase Holden(3) scores to complete an Italy fast break against Whitney. (Barry Byers)

Image: Air Ashcraft — Gladiator Ryan Ashcraft(4) tries to detour a Wildcat pass attempt.

Air Ashcraft — Gladiator Ryan Ashcraft(4) tries to detour a Wildcat pass attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: No problem — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) sticks the three-pointer on his way to a 19-point night.

No problem — Italy’s Jasenio Anderson(11) sticks the three-pointer on his way to a 19-point night. (Barry Byers)

Image: Passing the Cats — Gladiator Jasenio Anderson(11) passes to teammate Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) as the duo work for a closer shot.

Passing the Cats — Gladiator Jasenio Anderson(11) passes to teammate Larry Mayberry, Jr.(13) as the duo work for a closer shot. (Barry Byers)

Image: Two for three — Heath Clemons(2) receives the pass from Jasenio Anderson(11) and then swishes a three-pointer from the corner.

Two for three — Heath Clemons(2) receives the pass from Jasenio Anderson(11) and then swishes a three-pointer from the corner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice move — Gladiator Devonta Simmons(10) turns and scores against the Wildcats.

Nice move — Gladiator Devonta Simmons(10) turns and scores against the Wildcats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Devonta gets it done — Italy’s Devonta Simmons(10) scores from under the basket against the Wildcats.

Devonta gets it done — Italy’s Devonta Simmons(10) scores from under the basket against the Wildcats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon from deep — Gladiator Brandon Souder(15) attempts a jump shot during fourth-quarter action.

Brandon from deep — Gladiator Brandon Souder(15) attempts a jump shot during fourth-quarter action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hopkins scores inside — Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) out leaps a Wildcat defender and scores in the paint as the Gladiators win easily, 83-50, over Whitney.

Hopkins scores inside — Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) out leaps a Wildcat defender and scores in the paint as the Gladiators win easily, 83-50, over Whitney. (Barry Byers)

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