Junior High Lady Gladiators play aggressively against visiting Blooming Grove

Image: Paige Cunningham(1) drives the length of the court to put in a layup during the Combo game (7th and 8th) as Italy coach Holly Bradley urges her on against visiting Blooming Grove.

Paige Cunningham(1) drives the length of the court to put in a layup during the Combo game (7th and 8th) as Italy coach Holly Bradley urges her on against visiting Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

Image: Karley Nelson(1) dribbles the ball up court for Italy’s 7th grade team.

Karley Nelson(1) dribbles the ball up court for Italy’s 7th grade team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sydney Weeks(33) spots the rim and rises for a shot over a Blooming Grove defender.

Sydney Weeks(33) spots the rim and rises for a shot over a Blooming Grove defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Guard Karson Holley(2) makes a quick transition from defense to offense for Italy.

Guard Karson Holley(2) makes a quick transition from defense to offense for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy 7th grader Cassidy Gage(35) dribbles across mid-court.

Italy 7th grader Cassidy Gage(35) dribbles across mid-court. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy 7th grader Hannah Haight(32) takes a hand to the face while powering up for a shot. They had to shut her down after Haight scored 2-points earlier in the contest.

Italy 7th grader Hannah Haight(32) takes a hand to the face while powering up for a shot. They had to shut her down after Haight scored 2-points earlier in the contest. (Barry Byers)

Image: Karley Nelson(1) goes 1-of-2 from the line in the final minutes.

Karley Nelson(1) goes 1-of-2 from the line in the final minutes. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cassidy Gage(35), Karson Holley(2) and Tatum Adams(31) defend the rim.

Cassidy Gage(35), Karson Holley(2) and Tatum Adams(31) defend the rim. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jill Varner(13) and teammate Emily Guzman(21) try to tie up the ball and force a turnover.

Italy’s Jill Varner(13) and teammate Emily Guzman(21) try to tie up the ball and force a turnover. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hannah Haight(32), Madison Galvan(4) and Karson Holley(2) converge on a Blooming Grove shooter with Haight denying the shot attempt.

Hannah Haight(32), Madison Galvan(4) and Karson Holley(2) converge on a Blooming Grove shooter with Haight denying the shot attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Karla Perez(30) closes out on a Blooming Grove jump shooter as teammate Emily Guzman(21) moves in to trap the ball.

Karla Perez(30) closes out on a Blooming Grove jump shooter as teammate Emily Guzman(21) moves in to trap the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Teammates Lana Beets, Hannah Haight, Taylor Boyd, Tatum Adams and Madison Galvan are fierce on the court and silly off the court.

Teammates Lana Beets, Hannah Haight, Taylor Boyd, Tatum Adams and Madison Galvan are fierce on the court and silly off the court. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy 8th grader Grace Haight(23) practices a jumper before her team’s game.

Italy 8th grader Grace Haight(23) practices a jumper before her team’s game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Annie Perry(24) practices a jump shot before Italy’s 8th grade game against Blooming Grove.

Annie Perry(24) practices a jump shot before Italy’s 8th grade game against Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

Image: Emmy Cunningham(15) makes 2 free-throws to begin the scoring for Italy’s 8th grade.

Emmy Cunningham(15) makes 2 free-throws to begin the scoring for Italy’s 8th grade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brycelen Richards(22) scores along the baseline for Italy’s 8th grade team.

Brycelen Richards(22) scores along the baseline for Italy’s 8th grade team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Annie Perry(24) plays the ball on defense.

Annie Perry(24) plays the ball on defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Emmy Cunningham(15) pulls up over a Blooming Grove defender.

Emmy Cunningham(15) pulls up over a Blooming Grove defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Charisma Anderson(20) scores 7-points for Italy 8th grade team.

Charisma Anderson(20) scores 7-points for Italy 8th grade team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brycelen Richards(22) picks her shots as Italy jabs away at Blooming Grove’s defenses.

Brycelen Richards(22) picks her shots as Italy jabs away at Blooming Grove’s defenses. (Barry Byers)

Image: Emmy Cunningham(15) races to the basket.

Emmy Cunningham(15) races to the basket. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jenna Holden(25) causes a misfire for a Blooming Grove shooter.

Jenna Holden(25) causes a misfire for a Blooming Grove shooter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Displaying her ball handling skills is Emmy Cunningham(15) as she searches for a crease.

Displaying her ball handling skills is Emmy Cunningham(15) as she searches for a crease. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brycelen Richards (22) knocks down two of her 8-points scored against Blooming Grove.

Brycelen Richards (22) knocks down two of her 8-points scored against Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

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