For the first time in school history, the Gilmer High Bobcats are region basketball champions.
GHS earned its Region 7-3A title by downing archrival Pickens last Saturday in Dahlonega. While the Dragons led throughout and by as much as 17 points in the third quarter, they were not ahead when it mattered most. Gilmer junior J.D. Taylor drained a three pointer with a second on the clock to send the Dragons reeling. Their last-ditch effort was fruitless, and the Bobcats celebrated a 74-71 victory.
Head coach Jordan Hice discussed the championship and the advantageous position the team put itself in all season.
“This has been one of our goals all year, which is probably the most impressive part,” he said. “One of the things we set out to do was have a good seed in the region tournament. Knowing if you get that No. 1 seed you get a bye to state, and it kind of takes some pressure off.
“We were really pretty much No. 1 from the start. We were tied for first for a week with Pickens, but from start to finish, we were pretty much set in that No. 1. With having that target on your back, it was good for us to maintain and fight through.”
Both teams shot over 50 percent, and PHS made six three pointers to Gilmer’s three. While the Dragons shot 14 more free throws than the Cats, they only made 17/31. Fouls came early and often for Gilmer, which sent Taylor and Jackson McVey to the bench in the second quarter.
The Dragons opened a five-point lead after a quarter and increased it to 43-31 at the half. PHS hit two more shots to begin the third, and GHS found itself down, 48-31.
“We needed to have that big quarter. They hit two shots and I called a time out,” Hice said. “We wanted to focus on that defensive aspect. Knowing they were in a 2-3 zone, we talked about what we were running and the adjustment we needed to make off that.”
Pickens collapsed on McVey any time he received the ball. However, Keegen Bryant, Taylor, Ryder Wofford and Jacob Becerra were still about to feed him the ball with pin-point passes. GHS continually went inside to McVey when guards were not penetrating to the basket for points and fouls.
Eleven of Wofford’s 20 points came in the second half and his emotional spark appeared to ignite fans and teammates alike. GHS went on a 12-1 run and Pickens’ lead was down to 53-49 entering the fourth.
McVey, Wofford and Bryant powered the offense. A McVey two plus a free throw evened the score at 62-62 with four minutes to play. Dragon Caleb Lanford scored seven of Pickens’ final nine points, while Gilmer continued to spread the ball around.
Another three-point play by McVey gave the Cats a 71-69 lead with 50 seconds on the clock. Lanford drove for two more points to tie the game ahead of Gilmer’s winning shot.
McVey received the ball in the post once more, which left Taylor wide open along the perimeter. He received the pass and made the game winner as time expired.
Referees put a second back on the clock, and the Dragons’ full-court inbound pass was picked off by McVey.
“Coming back from being down 17 and just fighting back . . . I think Ryder Wofford had a big part in that,” said Hice. “He was very energetic in that second half trying to get the team pumped up. He did a good job of kind of leading the way.
“We made it here last year and kind of fell short, so it was good to see them handle that pressure all season knowing everyone wants to beat you.”
Lanford led PHS with 23 points, and McCord Purdy scored 18.
GHS began the region tournament last Thursday with a 74-60 win over Dawson County.
Gilmer outscored the Tigers 23-12 in the first quarter, which left them playing catch-up all day. GHS led 36-23 at halftime and 56-43 with eight minutes to play. Gilmer extended its lead by another point in the fourth.
McVey scored 23 and grabbed 14 boards. Both Bryant and Taylor scored 14, and Kohan Davis and Wofford added eight. Jacob Becerra finished with six assists and three points, and Bryant had four assists.
GHS is 18-8 overall and hosts Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (9-17) today at 6 p.m. to beign the Class 3A state tournament.
Region Championship
1 2 3 4 F
G 14 17 18 25 74
P 19 24 11 17 71
GHS scoring: McVey 31. Wofford 20. Bryant 14. Taylor 10. Blane Banks 2. Rebs.: McVey 13. Wofford 7.Becerra 4. Taylor 3. Kohan Davis 2. Boston Teague 1. Assts.: Becerra 8. Taylor 5. Wofford 4. McVey, Davis 2. Bryant, Teague 1. Stls.: Teague 3. Bryant, Davis 2. Wofford 1. Blks.: McVey 1.