The Gilmer High Lady Cats dropped a pair of region basketball games last week.
GHS was on the road for both and first made its way to Dawson County Tuesday. Gilmer turnovers led to more offensive opportunities for the Tigers who took advantage to claim a 48-38 win.
The Cats ended the week at East Forsyth Friday. The Broncos’ strong outside shooting performance was too much for the Cats to overcome in a 75-42 loss.
Neither Dawson or Gilmer shot particularly well Tuesday. GHS shot better from the free-throw line (15/23 compared to 8/16) and the Cats also out-rebounded the Tigers. However, it was 32 Gilmer turnovers that kept Dawson in the game, which the Tigers turned into 24 points.
The Cats fell behind 11-8 after the first and only made one shot from the field in the second as Dawson led, 22-13. Both teams had their best offensive quarter in the third. GHS entered the fourth down, 38-27. While the Cats were able to rally and threaten Dawson, the Tigers made plays down the stretch for the win.
“Turnovers definitely played into the outcome,” said head coach Susan Nunn. “We played them better than we did the first go around. We were down by four with just a few minutes to go. It was a good game, but turnovers at the end got them a few layups that put it out of reach for us.”
Elly Callihan led GHS with 11 points, Lucy Ray finished with nine and Lark Reece scored eight. Brooke Wilson grabbed seven rebounds to go with six points.
East Forsyth made 10 three pointers Friday. Following a 15-10 first quarter lead, EFHS drained five threes in the second for a 27-point outpouring and 42-16 lead by halftime.
Reece was there for eight points in the third where the Cats combined to make 11/13 free throws. The Broncos did not make any threes, but still added 21 points to their tally and maintained a 60-33 lead with a quarter to play.
EFHS continued to outpace the Cats in the fourth to earn the region win.
“They were very aggressive right off the bat on the press, and it got us in a little trouble,” Nunn said. “Again, turnovers ate us up. We were in the high 20s if not more. That’s been a struggle for us. We shot well from the line again (17/27), but we just couldn’t match up. They were knocking down threes and we’re hitting some twos, so it’s hard to keep the pace.”
Leading Gilmer’s scoring charge were Wilson (11), Callihan (10), Reece (nine) and Aliza Chastain (seven).
GHS is 8-16 overall and met North Hall at press deadline. The Cats will travel to Cherokee Bluff Friday for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
Junior varsity
The JV Lady Cats took the court Friday at East Forsyth and their late rally fell short, 34-31.
A slow start by GHS allowed EFHS to lead 13-4 after a quarter and 17-10 at halftime. The Broncos added to their advantage in the third for a 26-15 cushion.
The Cats scored 16 points in the fourth where Amayah Jones netted eight of her team-high 14 points. Gilmer’s offense was bolstered by six made free throws, but the Broncos came away with the win.
Arifah Jones added five points, Grace Bramlett scored four, while Julibelle Queen, Carly Becerra, Madison Bradshaw and Kamryn Baxter all finished with two.
GHS defeated Southeast Whitfield a week prior, 45-22. The Cats have a 4-9 overall record.