The top two teams in the region met on the basketball court and there was a clear winner.
The Gilmer High Bobcats traveled to take on rival Pickens last Friday, and the Dragons ran away with the game after the first quarter. PHS opened a 13-point lead at the half and extended it to 22 entering the fourth en route to a 65-38 win.
Jackson McVey scored 17 points on the night, and Keegen Bryant finished with 10, but the Bobcats found little offense elsewhere. Gilmer shot a healthy 43 percent on its two-point attempts but were just 2/14 from beyond the three point arc. Gilmer’s transition game was limited to six points.
The Dragons meanwhile hit 10/23 threes and out rebounded the Bobcats by 10. Caleb Lanford was the top scorer with 20 while Parker Davis and Dodge Davis added 15 and 13 points, respectively.
Gilmer’s best shooting quarter came in the first where the Cats scored 12. However, GHS only combined to score 16 points over the next two quarters as Pickens put the game out of reach.
The loss accounted for the Cats’ first in region play. They are tied with Pickens atop the standings, and Gilmer won their first region meeting back in December.
GHS is 12-6 overall and hosted Dawson County (11-8 overall) at press deadline. The Cats will head to Lumpkin County (9-10) Friday for an 8:30 p.m. game.