The Italy Gladiators and Lady Gladiators venture into bear country

Image: Paola Mata(12) gets to the basket against Clifton — JV Lady Gladiator Paola Mata(12) finishes the fast break strong against Clifton’s JV Girls.

Paola Mata(12) gets to the basket against Clifton — JV Lady Gladiator Paola Mata(12) finishes the fast break strong against Clifton’s JV Girls. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alma with the ball — Alma Suaste(32) attempts to make a pass into teammate Monserrat Figueroa(24).

Alma with the ball — Alma Suaste(32) attempts to make a pass into teammate Monserrat Figueroa(24). (Barry Byers)

Image: 3 shoots a three — Ryisha Copeland(3) shoots a three-pointer over a Clifton defender during the JV Girls game.

3 shoots a three — Ryisha Copeland(3) shoots a three-pointer over a Clifton defender during the JV Girls game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taking the shot — Italy’s Monserrat Figueroa(24) pulls up for a baseline jumper.

Taking the shot — Italy’s Monserrat Figueroa(24) pulls up for a baseline jumper. (Barry Byers)

Image: That’s in there — Italy’s Paola Mata(12) scores from the baseline against the JV Lady Cubs.

That’s in there — Italy’s Paola Mata(12) scores from the baseline against the JV Lady Cubs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy glides toward the rim against Clifton during the JV Boys game.

Italy glides toward the rim against Clifton during the JV Boys game. (Barry Byers)

Image: In a crowd — Raheem Walker(55) gets the rebound and goes back up for Italy’s JV Gladiators.

In a crowd — Raheem Walker(55) gets the rebound and goes back up for Italy’s JV Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lewis makes the layup — Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(20) lays in two-points for Italy’s JV Gladiators.

Lewis makes the layup — Jalarnce Jamal Lewis(20) lays in two-points for Italy’s JV Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: On defense — A strong second-half defensive effort by Italy’s JV Gladiators made the difference against Clifton.

On defense — A strong second-half defensive effort by Italy’s JV Gladiators made the difference against Clifton. (Barry Byers)

Image: No strings attached — Jake Escamilla(11) defies the law of gravity and passes out to a teammate during the JV Boys game between Italy and Clifton.

No strings attached — Jake Escamilla(11) defies the law of gravity and passes out to a teammate during the JV Boys game between Italy and Clifton. (Barry Byers)

Image: The icing — With the game on the line, Italy’s Raheem Walker(55) scores a crucial basket for Italy’s JV Gladiators after receiving a pass from teammate Caden Jacinto(2). The JV Gladiators get the win 39-34.

The icing — With the game on the line, Italy’s Raheem Walker(55) scores a crucial basket for Italy’s JV Gladiators after receiving a pass from teammate Caden Jacinto(2). The JV Gladiators get the win 39-34. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rossa’s unfair — Lady Gladiator Kaitlyn Rossa(3) gets the shot away despite triple coverage by Clifton.

Rossa’s unfair — Lady Gladiator Kaitlyn Rossa(3) gets the shot away despite triple coverage by Clifton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Swishes jersey number — Lady Gladiator Kaitlyn Rossa(3) swishes this three-pointer from the corner.

Swishes jersey number — Lady Gladiator Kaitlyn Rossa(3) swishes this three-pointer from the corner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Copeland has range — Jameka Copeland(5) pulls up and swishes a jump shot as teammate Bailey Bumpus(13) scrambles for the rebound.

Copeland has range — Jameka Copeland(5) pulls up and swishes a jump shot as teammate Bailey Bumpus(13) scrambles for the rebound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Megan defends — Lady Gladiator Megan Richards(22) applies pressure to a Lady Cub shooter.

Megan defends — Lady Gladiator Megan Richards(22) applies pressure to a Lady Cub shooter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chante to pass — Lady Gladiator Chante Birdsong(12) looks for an open teammate.

Chante to pass — Lady Gladiator Chante Birdsong(12) looks for an open teammate.

Image: Five drives — Jameka Copeland(5) gets inside for a layup against Clifton.

Five drives — Jameka Copeland(5) gets inside for a layup against Clifton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rossa’s gets agressive — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) tries to take over in the fourth.

Rossa’s gets agressive — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) tries to take over in the fourth. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice move — Gladiator point guard, Jasenio Anderson(11), avoids a Cubs’ defender and scores the layup.

Nice move — Gladiator point guard, Jasenio Anderson(11), avoids a Cubs’ defender and scores the layup. (Barry Byers)

Image: Heath Clemons — If your going to be a bear, be a grizzly! Heath Clemons(2) powers his way up for two-points against the Cubs.

Heath Clemons — If your going to be a bear, be a grizzly! Heath Clemons(2) powers his way up for two-points against the Cubs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole scores easily — Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) rises for a jump shot over a Clifton defender to score two of his six-points.

Cole scores easily — Italy’s Cole Hopkins(21) rises for a jump shot over a Clifton defender to score two of his six-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Court awareness — Jasenio Anderson(11) drives under the hoop and passes back to a teammate for a Gladiator score.

Court awareness — Jasenio Anderson(11) drives under the hoop and passes back to a teammate for a Gladiator score. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ashcraftiness — Italy’s Ryan Ashcraft(4) leans in for a score against Clifton with teammates De’Andre Sephus(20) and Colton Campbell(5) in rebounding position.

Ashcraftiness — Italy’s Ryan Ashcraft(4) leans in for a score against Clifton with teammates De’Andre Sephus(20) and Colton Campbell(5) in rebounding position. (Barry Byers)

Image: Souder at the line — Italy’s Brandon Souder(15) gets to the line against Clifton. Souder and his Gladiator teammates win big, 78-60, over the Clifton Cubs.

Souder at the line — Italy’s Brandon Souder(15) gets to the line against Clifton. Souder and his Gladiator teammates win big, 78-60, over the Clifton Cubs. (Barry Byers)

Return to story