Italy’s Lady Gladiators win their district opener 76-17 over Arlington Summitt
Arlington Summitt Captain, Raechell #11, meets with refs and captain of the Lady Gladiator team, Alyssa Richards #24 during the pre-game. (Anne Sutherland)
The Lady Gladiators reaped the benefits from their hard practices and for their perseverance during the pre-season with a district opening win over the Arlington Summitt Lady Skyhawks 76-17 during a home game inside Italy Coliseum. With barely 10 players on the roster to begin 2013, first-year head coach Melissa Fullmer and her ladies had a mountain to climb. Against the Lady Skyhawks, however, Fullmer and her squad reached the top of the summit, you might say, and seemingly enjoyed in the view.
Kortnei Johnson #3 proved tough to handle for the Lady Skyhawks with Johnson putting 25-points on the board. Also with a big game was power forward Alyssa Richards #24 who scored 20-points. Center Monserrat Figueroa #25 held her own as well with 10-points on the night.
Lady Gladiator Scoring:
| Player | Points |
| Kortnei Johnson #3 | 25 |
| Alyssa Richards #24 | 20 |
| Monserrat Figueroa #25 | 10 |
| Ryisha Copeland #11 | 8 |
| Tara Wallis #4 | 6 |
| Kendra Copeland #10 | 4 |
| Bernice Hailey #2 | 2 |
| Taleyia Wilson #22 | 1 |
2012-2013 Lady Gladiators Varsity Team
Bernice Hailey #2 Junior
Kortnei Johnson #3 Sophomore
Tara Wallis #4 Sophomore
Kendra Copeland #10 Junior
Ryisha Copeland #11 Junior
Taleyia Wilson #22 Freshman
Alyssa Richards #24 Senior
Monseratt Figueroa #25 Junior
Haylee Turner #13 Freshman
The next home games are against Grand Prairie Advantage on Friday, January 11, beginning with the JV boys at 5:00 p.m. The varsity girls play at 6:15 p.m. followed by the varsity boys at 8:00 p.m.