Italy’s Lady Gladiators battle with ERA in bi-district showdown

Image: Emmy Cunningham(2) wowed the crowd on both sides when she came out firing on all cylinders against Era. Cunningham put in 6 first-half three-pointers and scored 23-points before the break.

Emmy Cunningham(2) wowed the crowd on both sides when she came out firing on all cylinders against Era. Cunningham put in 6 first-half three-pointers and scored 23-points before the break. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Emmy Cunningham(2) knocks down another three-pointer despite the pesky buzzing of a nearby Lady Hornet from Era.

Italy’s Emmy Cunningham(2) knocks down another three-pointer despite the pesky buzzing of a nearby Lady Hornet from Era. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Decorea Green(3) rises in the lane to put up a shot over a hive of Lady Hornet defenders.

Lady Gladiator Decorea Green(3) rises in the lane to put up a shot over a hive of Lady Hornet defenders. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Emmy Cunningham(2) draws a foul while attacking the basket from the baseline.

Lady Gladiator Emmy Cunningham(2) draws a foul while attacking the basket from the baseline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Janae Robertson(5) sprints the ball up the court for the Lady Gladiators.

Senior Janae Robertson(5) sprints the ball up the court for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Emmy Cunningham(2) scores a layup for the Lady Gladiator cause.

Emmy Cunningham(2) scores a layup for the Lady Gladiator cause. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Ta’Keya Pace(12) puts up a shot against Era.

Lady Gladiator Ta’Keya Pace(12) puts up a shot against Era. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Lady Gladiator Taleyia Wilson(22) catches the pass in the high post and then looks for a teammate.

Senior Lady Gladiator Taleyia Wilson(22) catches the pass in the high post and then looks for a teammate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Emmy Cunningham(2) surveys the scene for an open teammate.

Italy’s Emmy Cunningham(2) surveys the scene for an open teammate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Lady Gladiator Lillie Perry(4) handles the ball in the half-court set.

Senior Lady Gladiator Lillie Perry(4) handles the ball in the half-court set. (Barry Byers)

Image: Janae Robertson(5) attacks the basket for the Lady Gladiators.

Janae Robertson(5) attacks the basket for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Emmy Cunningham(2) tries a scoop shot as she pierces thru the Lady Hornet defense.

Lady Gladiator Emmy Cunningham(2) tries a scoop shot as she pierces thru the Lady Hornet defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ta’Keya Pace(12) fights for a loose ball as teammates April Lusk(10) and Janae Robertson(5) come to her aid.

Italy’s Ta’Keya Pace(12) fights for a loose ball as teammates April Lusk(10) and Janae Robertson(5) come to her aid. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Brycelen Richards(11) banks one in over a Lady Hornet defender.

Lady Gladiator Brycelen Richards(11) banks one in over a Lady Hornet defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Lady Gladiators were all in as Emmy Cunningham(2) dives for the loose ball and then pushes it to teammate Ta’Keya Pace(12).

The Lady Gladiators were all in as Emmy Cunningham(2) dives for the loose ball and then pushes it to teammate Ta’Keya Pace(12). (Barry Byers)

Image: Decorea Green(3) scores 2-points off a layup for the Lady Gladiators.

Decorea Green(3) scores 2-points off a layup for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Guard Brycelen Richards(11) handles the ball while setting up Italy’s offensive set.

Guard Brycelen Richards(11) handles the ball while setting up Italy’s offensive set. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior center Shercorya Chance(33) scores 2-points for the Lady Gladiators.

Senior center Shercorya Chance(33) scores 2-points for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Emmy Cunningham(2) rises up to get a shot off over a Lady Hornet defender.

Italy’s Emmy Cunningham(2) rises up to get a shot off over a Lady Hornet defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy junior Decorea Green(3) elevates toward the rim for 2 more points.

Italy junior Decorea Green(3) elevates toward the rim for 2 more points. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator Emmy Cunningham(2) releases another long-range try in the second-half against Era.

Lady Gladiator Emmy Cunningham(2) releases another long-range try in the second-half against Era. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Shercorya Chance(33) powers her way to the basket over a Lady Hornet defender.

Italy’s Shercorya Chance(33) powers her way to the basket over a Lady Hornet defender. (Barry Byers)

Image: Janae Robertson(5) tries to help Italy rally back against Era in the fourth by scoring inside.

Janae Robertson(5) tries to help Italy rally back against Era in the fourth by scoring inside. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Decore Green(3) is fouled on her way to the basket. She knocked down both resulting free-throws. Unfortunately, it was not enough as Era held on for the 65-62 bi-district win.

Italy’s Decore Green(3) is fouled on her way to the basket. She knocked down both resulting free-throws. Unfortunately, it was not enough as Era held on for the 65-62 bi-district win. (Barry Byers)

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