Lady Gladiators gain confidence despite first-round tourney loss to 2A Peaster
Lady Gladiators Tara Wallis(4), Kendra Copeland(10), Ryisha Copeland(11) and Bernice Hailey(2) prepare for their game against Peaster in first-round of Italy hosted basketball tournament. (Barry Byers)
Italy — It was a fast-paced battle between the Italy Lady Gladiators and the Peaster Lady Greyhounds in a noon game on Thursday during a Italy hosted basketball tournament.
The tallish Lady Greyhounds were a tough team to matchup with and threatened to run away with the game after leading 23-14 at the break.
To their credit, Italy stayed with it and fought their way back into the contest late in the fourth-quarter. The Lady Gladiators had Peaster panting but our ladies ran out of time before they could finish their comeback.
In the end, the Lady Greyhounds held on for a 46-35 win but Coach Fullmer’s tenacious Lady Gladiator squad finally realized just how good they may be. With Peaster rolling over Palmer earlier in the morning, Italy was able to throw Peaster’s s_wag_ out of rhythm while gaining confidence going into day two of the tournament on Friday.