Lady Gladiators begin district 1-0 after taking care of business against Itasca

Barry Byers Posted January 23, 2015 4:00pm Lady Gladiator Basketball

Image: Lady Gladiator senior Kortnei Johnson(3) enjoys zero resistance from Itasca to secure the opening tipoff for Italy. — Lady Gladiator senior Kortnei Johnson(3) enjoys zero resistance from Itasca to secure the opening tipoff for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Italy — The Italy Lady Gladiators (19-7, 1-0), with head coach Melissa Fullmer guiding her ladies, simply out weaponed the visiting Itasca Lady Wampus Cats in the district opener.

Itasca tried slowing down the tempo by playing stall ball on offense but Italy was not phased. When the Lady Gladiators controlled the ball, they punished Itasca relentlessly to win by 26-points, 55-29.

Senior Lady Gladiator Kortnei Johnson led the way with 29-points while Italy’s defense proved stifling to ensure the Lady Gladiators a 1-0 start in district play.

Lady Gladiator Game Roster and Scoring:

Kortnei Johnson – 29
Emmy Cunningham – 9
Cory Chance – 6
Janae Robertson – 3
K’Breona Davis – 2
Tara Wallis – 2
Taleyia Wilson – 2
Brycelen Richards – 2
Lillie Perry

Go Italy!

Senior Lady Gladiator K’Breona Davis(10) scores a layup for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Kortnei Johnson(3) wins the race to the rim for 2-points with teammates Emmy Cunningham(2) and Tara Wallis(4) hustling down court to backup Johnson. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Lillie Perry(24) battles for a rebound on the offensive board. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Emmy Cunningham(2) challenges a Lady Wampus Cat shooter. (Barry Byers)

Senior Lady Gladiator Tara Wallis(4) attempts a three-pointer. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Emmy Cunningham(2) shoots over traffic in the paint. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Kortnei Johnson(3) splits a pair of Wampus Cat defenders for another score. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Kortnei Johnson(3) floats to the basket with the greatest of ease. (Barry Byers)

Kortnei Johnson(3) hurries the ball up the court as Italy transitions into attack mode. (Barry Byers)

K’Breona Davis(10) does the dirty work for the Lady Gladiators as she scrums for a loose ball with two Lady Wampus Cats. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Kortnei Johnson(3) slips inside and then rises over Itasca defenders for 2-points. (Barry Byers)

Brycelen Richards(13) attempts to save a ball from going out-of-bounds. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Kortnei Johnson(3) takes it strong to the rim for another 2-points. (Barry Byers)

Janae Robertson(5) scores inside for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Kortnei Johnson(3) takes on three Lady Wampus Cat defenders. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Taleyia Wilson(22) passes the ball down low. (Barry Byers)

Italy power center Cory Chance(33) draws a shooting foul under the basket. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Head Coach Melissa Fullmer talks strategy with Janae Robertson(5). (Barry Byers)

K’Breona Davis(10), Taleyia Wilson(22) and Cory Chance(33) react to a shot attempt from the corner. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s K’Breona Davis(10) checks to see if Cory Chance(33) is open. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Brycelen Richards(13) goes up for a layup despite two Lady Wampus Cat defenders bearing down on her. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Emmy Cunningham(2) finishes the fast break with a lay in. (Barry Byers)

Kortnei Johnson(3) finishes strong with a total of 29-points against Itasca to lead Italy to a win in their district opener and Head Coach Melissa Fullmer is loving every minute of it!!! (Barry Byers)