The buzz saw that is the Gilmer Lady Cats’ basketball schedule got underway.
GHS faced a pair of ranked region opponents, and the Lady Cats’ slate began last Tuesday evening against No. 4 Pickens. Gilmer’s southern rival stormed out of the gates and ran away for a 56-26 win.
The Cats hit the road Friday to take on No. 5 Dawson County. The Tigers found themselves down at the half, but a 23-point third quarter saw GHS fall behind. The Cats made a run in the fourth, but foul trouble allowed DCHS to pull away for a 57-47 win.
Gilmer’s week ended at home Saturday versus Fannin County. GHS led at the half, but a slow third quarter plagued them once again. The offensive lull was too much for GHS to overcome in the fourth and Fannin won, 52-42.
Pickens grabbed four offensive rebounds on its opening possession before finally hitting a three pointer. It proved to be a theme for the night as PHS outrebounded the Cats 41-29 while hitting eight threes.
PHS also had plenty of quickness. The Dragonettes dribbled around the Cats’ full-court press for transition points. They drove to the basket in the half court when not shooting from outside.
“We did learn a lot in that game physically, mentally and with our basketball IQ,” said head coach Dani Wright. “I tell the girls sometimes failure is OK because we have to learn from this. We gave up too many offensive rebounds where they were getting fourth and fifth attempts while we were one and done offensively.
“I think we got in our heads a little bit when they came out strong, and we tried to get back in the flow of the game, and the girls seemed shell shocked. The girls have to learn mentally how to deal with those situations.”
Pickens went on a 13-0 run to start the game and GHS broke through for its first points after six minutes of play. Gilmer trailed by 14 after a quarter and 32-13 at halftime.
The Cats committed nine first half turnovers and added nine more over the third and fourth quarters. PHS converted them into 15 points on the night, and extended its lead to 50-17 entering the fourth.
The final quarter was shortened by two minutes because of point differential, and PHS secured the 30-point win.
Ellison Steinhauer led all scorers with 18 points, and her Dragonettette teammate Caroline Mullins added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Gilmer had a strong outside shooting night against Dawson. The Cats made eight three pointers but only added six two-point baskets. GHS shot 11/15 from the line while Dawson made 10/14.
“The girls did a really good job of moving the ball around, driving and kicking and finding the open pass,” Wright said. “With 3:30 left in the game we were down by two. We had two foul out and they have size that we don’t, and they were able to get it inside. It was a really good game.”
Dawson’s Abby Slaton drained five of the Tigers’ seven three pointers. She hit three in the first quarter, which ended with the Tigers ahead, 16-9.
Lady Cat Aliza Chastain sank five three pointers on the night as well. She made two in the second quarter, and Chelsey Griggs hit another. DCHS was not as fortunate offensively, and Gilmer earned a 26-23 lead at the half.
Five Tigers contributed points in the third. Chastain’s two three pointers were Gilmer’s only made shots from the field.
The final quarter began with GHS behind by 11. Bree Burnette made two threes in the fourth, and while Gilmer drew within striking distance late, the Tigers were able to cash in on close-range baskets once Griggs and Lucy Ray went to the bench.
Chastain finished with 17 points and Burnette added 14. Slaton led the Tigers with 22 points.
The Cats spread the ball around against Fannin to begin the game as Ray, Chastain, Griggs, Burnette and Madison Bradshaw all scored to spark a 15-10 lead.
Fannin had the ability to shoot from outside and made six threes, and Courtney Davis was the Rebels’ top offensive weapon. Her quickness resulted in transition layups while she drove to the basket and drew fouls in the half court.
Chastain accounted for eight of Gilmer’s nine points ahead of the half as the Cats clung to a 24-23 halftime lead.
Ray and Sophia Riblet’s three pointers were Gilmer’s only points in the third period, and FCHS built a 37-30 advantage with eight minutes to play.
GHS shot 3/10 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and made just 9/20 on the night. Davis added six more points to finish with 19, and the Rebels came away with a 10-point win.
Ray scored 13 points and Chastain had 10.
“We were exhausted,” Wright said of the Cats’ third game of the week. “The girls were pressing Tuesday and Friday and we knew our legs were a little shot. We didn’t hit free throws at the end that we were hitting in the first half. Free throws have been killing us.”
Gilmer is 2-5 overall and 0-2 versus region opponents. GHS faced Lumpkin County at press deadline. The Cats host White County Friday at 7 p.m. and will meet North Murray Saturday on the road at 3 p.m.
Junior varsity
The junior varsity Lady Cats took the court against Fannin County with help from some younger players.
GHS was able to fill out its roster with the addition of four eighth graders from Clear Creek Middle School. While they received some much-needed court time that is vital to the program, FCHS was able to earn a 47-21 victory.
Fannin made four three pointers, but its 13/15 effort from the free-throw line helped bolster its offense.
Gilmer was held to three points in the opening quarter and fell behind 29-9 at the half. The Cats were able to cut into the Rebels’ lead some in the third. Fannin was up 31-14 with a quarter to play and added to its lead in the fourth.
Morgan Palmeri led the Cats with six points, and both Mary Grace Jones and Kenley Thompson scored five. Madison Hall added three points, and Presley Chancey finished with two.