The Gilmer Lady Cats split with region opponents last week to finish seventh in the regular-season basketball standings.
GHS hosted North Hall Tuesday and played its best game of the season. Gilmer took the lead in the second quarter and never lost it as they made all the plays in the second half for a 62-47 win.
The Cats traveled to Cherokee Bluff Friday, and the Bears’ second quarter performance gave them the cushion needed for a 57-41 win.
The home game versus fourth place North Hall marked Susan Nunn’s final as the Lady Cats’ head coach, barring a region tournament run. The Cats appeared to sense the moment as they came up with clutch points, rebounds and steals in the second half to put the Trojans away.
GHS was powered by its senior duo of Elly Callihan and Lark Reece. Callihan was there for 28 points and 18 rebounds, and Reece added 18 more points.
The first time the teams met this season, NHHS made 18 three pointers. This time they only made six, and three fell in the opening quarter, North Hall’s most productive.
NHHS led 17-13 entering the second where Callihan accounted for 11 of Gilmer’s 15 points. By the half, GHS slipped ahead, 28-27.
Lucy Ray scored her six points in the post to begin the third quarter, and Aliza Chastain hit a three pointer as GHS opened a 38-33 lead. After NHHS cut the deficit to 40-39, GHS went on a 6-0 run over the final two minutes for a 46-39 lead entering the fourth.
Anna Waddell drained a three pointer for GHS before two Trojan points in the lane made the score 52-47. Gilmer fended off the Trojans over the final two minutes with a 10-0 run as Callihan and Reece each scored five points to preserve the win.
In addition to six points, Ray grabbed eight rebounds.
Gilmer had an off shooting night versus Cherokee Bluff making just 27 percent of attempts from the field. GHS did not make more than four field goals in any quarter and got a boost from the free-throw line where it made 12/18.
The Cats led 12-11 after the first, but CBHS scored 21 points in the second. The Bears concentrated their efforts inside to open a 32-20 halftime lead.
The Cats fell behind 43-28 entering the fourth where points were traded nearly evenly and Gilmer lost by 16.
Reece led GHS with nine points, and Callihan scored seven and collected nine rebounds. Brooke Wilson added seven points as well, Chastain scored six and Grace Bramlett finished with five.
No. 7 seeded GHS (9-17) began the region tournament at press deadline in Dawson County versus No. 6 seed Cherokee Bluff (10-15). A GHS win will set up a meeting at East Forsyth Thursday beginning at 7:30 p.m.