Region basketball action was back on tap for Gilmer High, and the Bobcats disposed of LaFayette.
GHS hosted the Ramblers last Saturday for its first region matchup since Dec. 10. LaFayette (9-5 overall) entered the game ahead of the Cats in the standings, but that would not be the case at its conclusion.
When Gilmer began to limit LHS offensive rebounds in the second half, the Ramblers started to fade. The Bobcats’ 66-57 victory moved them to fourth in the region standings.
Five days earlier, Gilmer hosted Fannin County (8-5). It was their second meeting of the season, and the Rebels got their revenge. After Gilmer disposed of FCHS 62-53 Dec. 21, the Rebels earned a 71-57 victory.
Head coach Jordan Hice discussed the both games, starting with LaFayette.
“We did a good job of fighting for that rebound. Our defense was a little bit better and we were in a better position to rotate,” he said of the Cats’ second half adjustments. “There were a few times they were pushing through a guard so we’d get out of whack and leave someone on the backside wide open. Shifting our zone over helped us do a little bit better with rebounds.
“We just played really slow in that game against Fannin. I think with Christmas break it just kind of put a drag on us. We were off for some days and then were trying to get the kids back in the rotation. Being able to fight back from that was good, and that’s what we want.”
Both Gilmer and LaFayette scored the majority of their points from close range, with 36 and 32 points, respectively, in the paint. Ball security was an issue for LHS. While Gilmer committed 10 turnovers, the Ramblers racked up 18, which the Bobcats converted into 19 points.
LaFayette controlled the post early for second-chance points and easy baskets. GHS fell behind 16-13. Gilmer’s shooting improved in the second, and the Cats were buoyed by a 5/5 performance from the line ahead of the half.
GHS enjoyed a 29-26 halftime lead, and the Ramblers added four quick points in the third period following offensive boards. Meanwhile, Gilmer’s Keegen Bryant and J.D. Taylor continued to attack the rim. They combined for 14 of the Cats’ 16 third quarter points, and GHS still led after the quarter, 45-43.
LHS slipped ahead by two to begin the fourth before Boston Teague provided five quick points to help GHS retake the lead. Bryant hit a pair of free throws, while Preston McVey snatched an offensive rebound and added two points.
A coast-to-coast layup by Taylor and subsequent free throw saw Gilmer’s lead swell to 57-48 with 2:35 to play. The Ramblers were only able to draw within seven points over the remainder of the game as GHS improved to 7-6 overall.
Bryant led all scorers with 26 points, which included an 11/14 effort from the free-throw line. He added five assists and four steals. Taylor turned in a double-double with 21 points and 11 boards to go with four steals. Teague was there for eight points and nine rebounds.
McVey added four points, Cooper Farmer had three, and both Jaden Sevcech and Mack Kiser finished with two.
Versus Fannin, top GHS scorers included Bryant (19) and Taylor and Teague (13 apiece). The Rebels’ scoring trio included Kolton Kaylor (19), Matthew Ponton (16) and Keaton Watkins (14).
The Cats made seven three pointers on the day, but shot just 34 percent on its two-point attempts. Gilmer was whistled for 18 fouls while only seven were called on FCHS. This led to a 20/29 Rebel performance from the line, while GHS shot just 8/12.
The game was even after a quarter, but Fannin outpaced GHS in the second for a 29-21 lead at the half. The Cats trailed 52-35 with a quarter to play, and could not run down the Rebels in the fourth.
Bryant added six rebounds and five assists. McVey had six boards as well, and Taylor grabbed five. McVey scored seven points and Cooper totaled five.
GHS is in Calhoun today for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff, and they will be at Heritage Friday for an 8:30 p.m. game. Gilmer hosts Murphy Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Junior varsity
The junior varsity Bobcats narrowly fell in their latest two matchups against Fannin County and LaFayette.
Gilmer hosted Fannin last Monday, and the Rebels eked out a 51-49 overtime victory. LaFayette made its way to the GHS gym Saturday, and the Ramblers secured another close win over the Cats, 50-49.
Versus Fannin, the Bobcats were led by Preston McVey with 16 points, and Douglas Callihan added 10. A.J. Callihan scored seven, and Alex Miltiades was there for six. The Rebels spread their scoring around as six players tallied at least six points.
FCHS opened a five-point advantage after a quarter, which the Cats knocked down to 25-23 by halftime. GHS slipped ahead by a point headed into the fourth, and the game was even at the end of regulation, 45-45.
The Rebels hit a three pointer in overtime and converted 3/6 free-throw attempts to pull out a two-point win.
LaFayette won the game at the free-throw line where they made 13/19, while the Cats only shot 3/9. McVey was Gilmer’s go-to scorer with 17.
GHS led 12-11 after the first and LHS was ahead at the half, 25-23. The seesaw battle saw Gilmer take a 35-33 lead into the fourth where the Ramblers emerged with a one-point win.
Gilmer’s well-rounded scoring effort included A.J. Callihan (nine points) followed by Douglas Callihan (six) and Miltiades, Mason West and Andrew Chastain (five apiece).