The Gilmer High Lady Cats went through some growing pains last season while playing in the toughest basketball region in Class 3A.
For second-year head coach Dani Wright and the Cats, they might have their work cut out for themselves once again this season.
Four of Region 7-3A’s teams are currently ranked in the top six in Class 3A. That does not even include Lumpkin County, who compiled an 80-12 record over the previous three seasons while reaching three final fours, two finals and winning a state championship.
Wright noted she has been encouraged by the players’ attitude through this early phase of the season.
“The chemistry of the team is really good this year, and we have really great leadership,” she said. “In the locker room, they’re talking to each other and holding each other accountable. They’re buying in, and I have more coming in in the mornings to get their shots up. They want to succeed and want to see each other succeed.”
While the Cats are further ahead in their progression than they were at this point last year, there are only 15 players in the program. Wright noted that some returning players, as well as some incoming freshmen decided not to play.
“I’m really picky on fundamentals. We’ve still been honing in on those, but there is not as much teaching because the girls grasp the concepts and are building off last year,” Wright said.
“Right now, we’re doing the best we can. The sad thing is, it’s not just us. Numbers are down at a lot of places. My buddy at Chestatee said their numbers are down, and Lumpkin and West Hall don’t have a JV squad either.”
GHS graduated three seniors off last year’s 6-20 team, and there are currently eight upperclassmen on the varsity roster. This year’s seniors are Lucy Ray, Sophia Riblet, KateLynn Carder and Marley Boatwright. The junior class consists of Aliza Chastain, Madison Bradshaw, Grace Bramlett and Carly Becerra. Also receiving varsity minutes a season ago are sophomores Chelsey Griggs and Bree Burnette.
“With this group, we’ve been keying in on man-to-man defense (through early practices). That also carries over to zone defense, moving on the pass,” Wright said. “A lot of times we watch and react, and we need to get quicker and start anticipating. We’re working on doing a better job of boxing out because we’re so small, and that’s really our Achilles’ heel.”
Gilmer’s three returning starters include Ray, Riblet and Chastain. Both Ray and Chastain received an all-region honorable mention last season.
Chastain was the Lady Cats’ leader with 7.3 points, three assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 78.8 percent from the free-throw line. Ray averaged 6.6 points, snatched four rebounds per game and made 70.6 percent of her free throws.
Bradshaw, Bramlett, Becerra, Griggs and Burnette will be in the mix for the remaining starting spots, according to Wright.
Wright discussed how the Cats plan to attack teams this season, noting, “We want to change up the defense and get the girls to listen and do it on the spot. With some teams, we’re just going to have to make sure we get back and they don’t score easy layups. The girls are doing a good job of that and listening. We’re still working on our communication. We’ve got to watch film and be smarter than the other team. Anything we can do, we need to do it.
“Offensively, we’re really big with the dribble-kick out. We’re small so we have to take it hard to the basket and get the defense to collapse and kick it back out. We’re really working on our spacing to make sure when we do run our offenses, we have the next person open for the shot. We’re still fine-tuning that. I think we’re a pretty decent outside shooting team.”
When it comes to region play, GHS will have its hands full once again. Wesleyan is currently ranked No. 2 in the state and has added another skilled player to its roster. Pickens, Dawson County and White County are ranked No. 4, 5, and 6, respectively.
Wright plans to approach the Cats’ daunting region schedule with the same mindset as they did last season.
“We really focused on the little wins,” she said. “The first time we played Pickens last year we got rocked. The next time we played them at home, we won the first quarter and played with them in the first half. That was a big victory for us.
“We’re focusing on those small wins and having the girls understand they’re getting better. I want them to see how much we improve from the first game of the season to the last.”
Cats fall in tip-off tourney
The Lady Cats began the season last Saturday at the Adairsville Tip-Off Classic.
Gilmer took the court first against Model and lost, 71-50. The Cats returned to Adairsville three days later to face Trion. The Bulldogs were able to secure a 59-39 win over the Cats.
No further game information could be obtained by Tuesday’s press deadline.
Gilmer traveled to Murray County Tuesday evening and will make its way to Sonoraville Friday.