The Gilmer Lady Cats had a productive summer on and off their home court.
GHS was in the gym throughout June as head coach David Dowse and staff began preparations for the upcoming season.
The month began with the team’s annual youth camp. When Gilmer was on its home court, every day started with “the breakfast club,” which is a 90-minute period used strictly to hone offensive skills. From there, Dowse conducted a two-hour practice, and the Lady Cats' day was over by 11 a.m.
There are 14 players in the program, and Dowse was very pleased with their attendance. While some players did miss a couple of days, they were occupied elsewhere.
“We had a couple of kids who are multisport athletes. We work that out with (softball coach) Haley Vick and also flag football (coach Chad Miller) so that kids aren’t put in conflict. If they weren’t with me, they were at softball or they were at flag football. So participation was outstanding,” Dowse said.
This summer gave Dowse an opportunity to make some on-court adjustments to better fit the Lady Cats. He noted it is a departure from what he has always done on the court.
“With what we were doing offensively, and what I’ve always done in my career, I just wasn’t convinced that our returning personnel and what we were doing best fit their skill set,” he said. “So we did make some offensive adjustments. We put a new system in and it went really well.
“It’s a little more position-specific than what I’ve been doing most of my career, but I think the kids have bought in. They enjoyed it. It gives them an opportunity to play to their strengths.”
The Cats were able to put the new system to work by week three of the summer. They attended a two-day camp at North Murray and earned wins over the host Mountaineers, Central Carroll, North Cobb Christian, Trion and Calhoun.
They ended the week at Lake Point for the annual Georgia Basketball Coaches Association's Live Event. It gave players a chance to perform in front of college recruiters. The Cats took down Chapel Hill, Union Grove, Bremen and East Forsyth.
The Cats headed to Blue Ridge the next week and secured victories over Fannin County, Union County, East Forsyth and Coahulla Creek.
GHS was 13-2 over the summer with its losses coming against Dalton and Christian Heritage.
“I thought the level of competition was good,” Dowse said. “I was a little surprised that the teams played as much zone as they did. I’ve always kind of approached it like, I don’t care what we’re going to do in the regular season. We’re playing man to man in the summer. I guess not everyone sees it that way. We handled it well.
“We’re trying to win those games, but at the same time, we also want to see people in different situations.”
Dowse noted he was pleased with the summer and the Cats’ progress. They will continue to work out, but team basketball activities will not resume until October.
“I think we will be a more physical team this year,” Dowse said. “What we may have lost through graduation with some good players and some skilled kids, I think we have made up for with kids who are really aggressive and physical. Brenlee Daniel, Jaylee McDaniel and Halle West have played very physical for us, and that’s been helpful.”