The Gilmer Bobcats began region play with a solid basketball victory.
GHS was in Adairsville last Friday to take on the winless Tigers. Gilmer led comfortably throughout and entered the fourth quarter with a 29-point lead. AHS got some offense going over the final eight minutes but it was not enough, and Gilmer won, 61-44.
The Cats started the week Tuesday at home versus nonregion foe Union County. Not much separated the teams through two quarters, but the Panthers outscored GHS by 10 in the third and went on to win, 77-69.
Gilmer had a dependable scoring trio at Adairsville as Keegen Bryant had 19 points, Preston McVey finished with 16 and Jaden Sevcech added 10. GHS started slow and AHS held a two-point lead midway through the first. However, the Cats outscored the Tigers 16-5 over the final four minutes to open a 22-13 lead.
Bryant scored 10 in the quarter and six Bobcats contributed points in the second as their lead swelled to 35-16 at halftime. Gilmer went on a 10-0 run to start the third. Both Bryant and Sevcech made threes while McVey scored six in the post.
AHS trailed 53-24 entering the fourth. Points came much easier for the Tigers as they began the final quarter with eight points in transition followed by 10 in the post when it had to set up its half court offense.
A Tiger three pointer trimmed the Cats’ lead to 59-44 with two minutes to play. A final three cut Gilmer’s margin of victory to 14.
McVey also snatched 11 rebounds and Bryant dished six assists. Alex Miltiades contributed eight points and Douglas Callihan scored seven.
Versus Union, the Cats showed marked improvement after losing to the Panthers by 35 in their first matchup, Nov. 18. McVey was Gilmer’s top scorer with 20 to go with seven rebounds. Gilmer cut its turnovers significantly and made seven three pointers while Union hit 10.
The Panthers tripled the Cats’ points in transition with 21, and Union turned 18 offensive rebounds into 20 points. GHS was behind 11-10 after a quarter and UCHS was up 37-35 at halftime.
Union remained hot in the third and shot 50 percent from the field. Bryant knocked down a pair of threes as both Sevcech and McVey scored four. The Cats entered the fourth trailing, 62-50. Gilmer cut into the Panthers’ lead over the final eight minutes but was unable to close the gap.
Bryant scored 11 and had five assists and five rebounds. Andrew Chastain added seven points and five boards. Aden Richard was there for eight points, Sevcech scored seven and Noah Rice had six.
GHS is 3-5 overall and made its way to Ridgeland (3-3) at press deadline and hosts Calhoun Friday at 8:30 p.m. Gilmer travels to Fannin County (5-0) Saturday for a 6 p.m. game