Itasca — In a battle to claim the 2nd place spot in the district race, Itasca leaps to a 5-0 advantage before Italy’s Kortnei Johnson put in a layup off of a fast break opportunity for the Lady Gladiators to make the score 5-2. Trailing 7-2, Italy’s Alyssa Richards blocks a Lady Cat shooter but is charged with a shooting foul and Richards is not happy about it. Itasca puts in both freebies to go up 9-2.

Johnson inbounds to Kendra Copeland who passes to Ryisha Copeland who knocks down a jumper from the top of the lane to make the score 9-4 with 3:32 still to play in the opening quarter. Itasca goes up 11-4 on the scoreboard when Italy head coach Melissa Fullmer tries to jumpstart the offense by inserting Jameka Copeland and Monserrat Figueroa into the contest.

Figueroa, with a backside steal, passes ahead to Johnson who is fouled going to the rack. Unfortunately, Johnson’s free shots will not fall and the score remains 11-4, 1:46 and ticking. Back-to-back 3-point home crowd pleasers from the Lady Cats threatens to put the game nearly out-of-reach for Italy as the firsty-quarter winds down with Itasca leading 17-4.

At the 5:45 mark of the second-quarter, guard Tara Wallis rebounds and passes to Johnson who successfully lays in the shot at the other end to close the scoring gap 18-6. Itasca continues with their efforts on the offensive end to go up 20-6. Italy’s Taleyia Wilson knocked down a pair of free-throws making the score 20-8, 4:11 left in the first half. K. Copeland splashes a jumper from the top of the lane to help Italy keep pace, 20-10.

Johnson skies for a defensive rebound and then sprints up court for the high-speed layup. The score is 20-12 with Itasca still in control. The Lady Cats respond by going 1-of-2 from the foul stripe and then by putting in a 3-point bomb that blew a hole in Italy’s momentum surge. Itasca leads 24-12 with 1:31 remaining.

Figueroa comes up with another steal and again gets the ball to Johnson to create another fast break opportunity. Johnson’s shot will not fall but J. Copeland grabs the rebound and draws a foul on the put back attempt. The second free-throw counts to make the score 24-13. With one last chance, Richards inbounds to Johnson who heaves a half court shot that pounds off the board as the halftime buzzer sounds.

Italy strikes first in the second half with Wallis hitting a bank shot to raise Italy’s count closer to Itasca’s on the scoreboard, 24-15. Itasca answers Wallis to make the score 26-15. Richards is foced to sit early in the third-quarter with foul trouble with fouls becoming a problem for Fullmer and the Lady Gladiators. Richards who missed playing time in the first two quarters was visibly irritated with the officiating, 5:45 on the clock.

Figueroa snags an offensive rebound and is fouled on the follow. Figueroa hits 1-of-2 to make the game count 26-16. Wallis passes to Johnson who drives into the lane for a basket, 27-18. Again, Itasca answers with a 3-point demoralizer to increase their lead 30-18. Johnson hits the front end of a 1-and-1 after drawing a blocking foul on the way to the rim, 30-19. Johnson then passes the ball over to J. Copeland who swishes the left wing jumper to make the score 30-21 with 1:46 to play in the third.

Itasca scores but J. Copeland matches the Lady Cats with a shot of her own, 32-23. And again, Itasca shooters find the range from beyond the arc to put the Lady Cats up 35-23. With more Lady Gladiators becoming in foul trouble, Johnson is tagged with a questionable foul that fuels resentment from the crowds on both sides. How ever did these rivalries get started in the first place? Itasca puts in 3-out of-4 freebies to end the third, taking a 38-23 lead into the fourth-quarter.

With Richards back in the game trying to protect four fouls, Wallis knocks down a pair of free shots to make the score 38-25 with 7:05 left in the contest. Itasca scores form the field but Wallis knocks down two more free ones to make the score 40-25. After an Italy timeout, Itasca goes up 42-25. Johnson responds by hitting two more Italy free shots to make the score 42-29. With the score 44-29 after more Lady Cat free-throws, Richards is caught under the defensive basket trying to pressure the dribbler and has to leave the game with five fouls. Itasca makes the free-throws count to go up 46-29.

Wilson, takes care of business by putting in both free-throws for Italy to make the score 46-31. Wallis fouls out for Italy and Itasca swishes 1-of-2 to lead 47-31. J. Copeland makes 1-of-2 and the score is now 47-32 with Italy’s Ladies trying to finish strong, 2:10 remaining.

Figueroa then fouls out as Itasca goes up 48-32. With three Lady Gladiators fouled out and then four with Johnson taking a seat, the Lady Cats go on a tear and score 7-straight points before R. Copeland makes the second of two free-throw chances. Itasca leads 57-33 with 0:41 to play. K. Copeland scores one last point from the line for Italy but Itasca scores again at the buzzer to win 59-33.

If you combine both the varsity girls and boys games together, Italy had a total of 6 players foul out Friday in Itasca. Anyway, expect coach Fullmer and the Lady G’s to bounce back when these two teams meet inside Italy Coliseum. The Lady Gladiators are now 3-2 in district play.

Go Lady Gladiators!