The Gilmer Lady Cats will meet Fannin County to decide the Piedmont Holiday Classic championship.
GHS is hosting the four-team event and snagged two wins to begin the tournament. The Cats faced Copper Basin last Friday, and the Cougars led for most of the game. However, Gilmer rallied over the final minutes to earn a 51-50 win.
Allatoona was up next the following day, and the Buccaneers never stood a chance. Gilmer scored 42 unanswered points to begin the game, and reserves took the court for the second half to cement the 70-23 win.
Copper Basin entered the tournament with a 6-3 record and a starting lineup that consisted of four seniors and a junior.
“Copper Basin is a solid team and they’re experienced,” said head coach David Dowse. “Their No. 12 (Kloie Ballew) played well. We knew she was a good player, but I think she made (9/15) just about everything she took.”
Ballew led all scorers with 22, while the Cats had a solid scoring quintet with Jace Sanderson (13 points), Bree Burnette and Chelsey Griggs (10 apiece), while Paula Robertson and Mak Taylor each added eight.
CBHS only attempted six threes on the night and did not make any and the Cats made six and attempted 24. Both teams relied on points from close range. The Cougars opened a 12-6 lead, which GHS cut to 16-14 by the end of the first quarter.
Gilmer made just three shots from the field in the second, and CBHS led 29-24 at the half.
GHS went on a run in the third to momentarily overtake CBHS, 36-35. The Cougars jumped back ahead 41-40 headed into the fourth and widened it to 50-42 with three minutes to play. That would be the final points for Copper Basin, as GHS went on a 9-0 run to close out the game. Sanderson scored in the post to pull GHS within one, and a Robertson rebound and putback gave Gilmer a 51-50 advantage.
Over the Cougars’ last four possessions, GHS forced two jump balls and a pair of turnovers.
“I was pleased with our team,” Dowse said. “When we came out of a timeout (late in the fourth), I challenged them to get up and play defense the way they’re capable of and let’s turn them over and get some easy baskets. They did that.
“A game like that helps us more than a game you win by 40. At least now they’re battle-tested, and when their backs are against the wall, they have the ability to turn it up, make plays and win a tight game.”
The Allatoona matchup was a rout from the start. GHS made seven three-pointers in the first half and added 22 easy points in transition after turnovers and steals.
The Bucs’ first point came with 1:49 left in the half, and by that time GHS was ahead, 42-1.
Gilmer entered the second half with a 47-8 lead. Reserves played half of the second quarter and all of the third and fourth. Kenley Thompson (nine points), Ally Phillips (eight), Jaylee McDaniel (six), Madison Hall (five) and Morgan Palmeri (three) all helped preserve and extend Gilmer’s lead to 47 points.
Taylor made four threes on the night and led the way with 14 points. Robertson added eight, Burnette had seven and Sanderson contributed six. Burnette finished with six assists, and Palmeri had seven rebounds and four assists.
Gilmer is 7-6 overall and took on Fannin County (11-1) for the championship at Monday’s press deadline.