Lady Gladiators advance to second round of Italy Invitational Basketball Tourney

Image: Lady Gladiator Kendra Copeland gets ready to take on Faith Family in the first round of the annual Italy Invitational Basketball Tournament hosted by Italy High School.

Lady Gladiator Kendra Copeland gets ready to take on Faith Family in the first round of the annual Italy Invitational Basketball Tournament hosted by Italy High School. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards gets ready to take on Faith Family in the first round of the annual Italy Invitational Basketball Tournament hosted by Italy High School.

Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards gets ready to take on Faith Family in the first round of the annual Italy Invitational Basketball Tournament hosted by Italy High School. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards(24) takes a shot from the top of the lane against Faith Family as Monserrat Figueroa(25) crashes the board.

Alyssa Richards(24) takes a shot from the top of the lane against Faith Family as Monserrat Figueroa(25) crashes the board. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taleyia Wilson(22) gets in position to rebound as Kortnei “KJ3” Johnson(3) knocks down a shot in the lane.

Taleyia Wilson(22) gets in position to rebound as Kortnei “KJ3” Johnson(3) knocks down a shot in the lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taleyia Wilson(22) gets in position, yet again, to rebound as Kortnei Johnson(3) attacks the basket, yet again.

Taleyia Wilson(22) gets in position, yet again, to rebound as Kortnei Johnson(3) attacks the basket, yet again. (Barry Byers)

Image: Monserrat Figueroa(25) swishes a turnaround jumper from the free-throw line.

Monserrat Figueroa(25) swishes a turnaround jumper from the free-throw line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Finishing the fast brake is Italy’s Kortnei Johnson(3) as teammate Alex Minton(12) tracks the ball.

Finishing the fast brake is Italy’s Kortnei Johnson(3) as teammate Alex Minton(12) tracks the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Monserrat Figueroa(25) receives a pass and puts up a shot inside against a Faith Family defender.

Monserrat Figueroa(25) receives a pass and puts up a shot inside against a Faith Family defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: The relentless Monserrat Figueroa(25) is to strong for Faith Family defenders in the lane.

The relentless Monserrat Figueroa(25) is to strong for Faith Family defenders in the lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kortnei Johnson(3) rises for 2-points over a Faith Family defender.

Kortnei Johnson(3) rises for 2-points over a Faith Family defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: “KJ3” tries to clear a defender on the way to the basket.

“KJ3” tries to clear a defender on the way to the basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kortnei Johnson(3) gets the steal and puts in the shot for another basket.

Kortnei Johnson(3) gets the steal and puts in the shot for another basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards(24) puts in a foul shot to go 4-of-4 from the free-throw line against Faith Family for a game total of 4-points.

Alyssa Richards(24) puts in a foul shot to go 4-of-4 from the free-throw line against Faith Family for a game total of 4-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Monserrat Figueroa(25) completes the fast break for Italy.

Monserrat Figueroa(25) completes the fast break for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tara Wallis(4) and the Lady gladiators leave Faith Family behind. Wallis would finish the game with 8-points.

Tara Wallis(4) and the Lady gladiators leave Faith Family behind. Wallis would finish the game with 8-points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Bernice Hailey(2) shoots a 12 footer.

Italy’s Bernice Hailey(2) shoots a 12 footer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Taleyia Wilson(22) is looking for open teammates as Ryisha Copeland(11) and Alex Minton(12) flash into the lane.

Italy’s Taleyia Wilson(22) is looking for open teammates as Ryisha Copeland(11) and Alex Minton(12) flash into the lane. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryisha Copeland(11) and the Lady Gladiators continue to score as Copeland finishes with 7-points on the night.

Ryisha Copeland(11) and the Lady Gladiators continue to score as Copeland finishes with 7-points on the night. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kortnei Johnson(3) gets altitude on her jump shot as the Lady Gladiators soar over Faith Family 63-14. Johnson finished the outing with 26-points

Kortnei Johnson(3) gets altitude on her jump shot as the Lady Gladiators soar over Faith Family 63-14. Johnson finished the outing with 26-points (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards(24) holds the ball with the final seconds ticking away as the Lady Gladiators advance to the second round of the IIBT by defeating Faith Family 63-14.

Alyssa Richards(24) holds the ball with the final seconds ticking away as the Lady Gladiators advance to the second round of the IIBT by defeating Faith Family 63-14. (Barry Byers)

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