The Gilmer Bobcats continued region basketball action and endured a pair of losses.
Gilmer was at Ridgeland last Tuesday, and the Panthers erased the Bobcats’ early lead and won the game at the final buzzer, 63-61. An athletic Calhoun squad was at the GHS gym Friday. Gilmer hung with the Yellow Jackets early before they pulled away over the final three quarters for a 73-44 win.
The Cats took on Fannin County Saturday, and the host Rebels remained undefeated on the season, 66-52.
The Bobcats jumped to an 18-4 lead versus Ridgeland before the Panthers went on a run of their own. GHS went cold and RHS scored 11 unanswered points to close out the first quarter. By the half, Gilmer’s three-point lead was erased and the score was even, 32-32.
“That one got away from us,” said head coach Sean Glaze. “We had a big lead early on and did a good job of being organized and disciplined and running our stuff and talking. Then we got a little sloppy and a lot of that is due to immaturity and learning the importance of discipline and consistency.
“That’s just where we’re at right now in the season. As our guys start to get more aware of the impact of every possession, we’ve got a chance to be really competitive. We’re not good enough at this point to waste possessions.”
Twelve of Gilmer’s 21 turnovers came in the first quarter. Even with wasted possessions, GHS attempted eight more shots and out-rebounded the Panthers by 16. Both teams relied heavily on close-range points where they combined to score 70. All 36 of Gilmer’s points in the paint were scored by Preston McVey.
RHS entered the fourth quarter ahead, 48-45. However, the Panthers went on a 9-2 run to begin the quarter, and the Cats were down by 10 with five minutes to play.
McVey scored all 15 GHS points over the remainder of the game, and he knocked down two free throws to tie the score at 61-61 with 12.4 seconds left to play.
RHS crossed the timeline and called a timeout six seconds later. Jamarcus Lewis took the inbound and diced straight through the lane for a layup as the buzzer sounded.
Lewis led RHS with 27 points and the next closest was a pair of Panthers with 11. Keegen Bryant scored 12 for GHS to go with five rebounds, and Andrew Chastain added nine points while Mason West finished with six. McVey was the top rebounder with 12, Jaden Sevcech grabbed six and Douglas Callihan had five.
Calhoun used its athleticism on offense to drive to the basket, and when the defense collapsed, they kicked the ball out to make eight three-pointers on the night.
he Jackets also tripled Gilmer’s transition points and netted 24 on the night. CHS dominated the offensive glass for 13 second-chance points and also scored 36 points in the post compared to 22 for GHS.
Gilmer kept pace early against Calhoun, who found success scoring in transition and in the post in the first quarter. GHS trailed 14-13, but only scored six points in the second to fall behind 42-19 at halftime.
CHS extended its lead to 30 points to start the fourth, which was shortened by two minutes. Reserves entered the game midway through the quarter as Calhoun went on to win by 29.
McVey and Sevcech both scored 11 and the former also snatched six rebounds. Bryant finished with eight points, six rebounds and four assists. Callihan scored six points and pulled down four boards, and Chastain recorded four boards as well.
“Calhoun is a very good team, and I think definitely the class of our region right now,” Glaze said. “They’ve got size and athleticism and some kids that shoot the ball and handle the ball very well. That said, I feel like it was a really important game for us to clarify what the standard needs to be for our guys in terms of some attention to detail and consistent execution.”
The Fannin matchup mirrored Friday’s performance, as Glaze said, “I think the same thing could probably be said for our Saturday game, honestly. I think that Fannin is a really good team. They’re undefeated and got some really good players.
“But much like we saw with Calhoun, when we do what we practice and play with a little bit of energy and talk on defense and take care of our boards, I really believe we’re going to have a chance to play with most anybody down the stretch.”
FCHS scored 28 points off 21 GHS turnovers and outscored the Cats 40-18 in the paint.
Gilmer fell behind 19-8 after a quarter and 36-17 at the break. GHS made just five shots from the field in the first half and did not fare much better in the third. Fannin had its best quarter offensively while the Cats were held to single-digit scoring once again.
Fannin opened a 60-26 lead and the fourth quarter was shortened to six minutes. McVey scored 11 of his team-high 18 points in the fourth, and Fannin won by 14.
Bryant added 14 points, five assists and five rebounds. Sevcech was there for nine points, Chastain scored seven and Noah Rice had two.
GHS is 3-8 overall and hosts the Piedmont Holiday Classic Friday through Monday. Gilmer will take on Copper Basin Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Galloway Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The Cats host Fannin Monday at 7:30 p.m.