The Gilmer Lady Cats returned to the state basketball tournament last season, and they are looking for more success this go-around.
David Dowse enters his second year as the Cats’ head coach, and last season’s 16 victories and state berth were the program’s most and first since 2021. GHS returns four starters off last season’s squad and with Dowse’s system fully in place, the Cats were able to hit the ground running on and off the court.
“With me understanding their personalities and vice versa, I think it’s been terrific,” Dowse said. “Not to take anything away from year one, because they were great, we were getting to know each other. Now their personalities are starting to come out, and I hope they feel the same of me. It’s fun to come to practice. It’s fun to just hang out. It’s been nice.”
With expectations and schemes in place, Gilmer spent its summer increasing its court time.
“From a skill development standpoint, it was great. We came a long way and played a very competitive game schedule and played a lot more games than in year one because the system is in place,” Dowse said. “I thought we did well, competed and played some really good teams and had some good results.
“The eighth graders we brought up last year are now able to mix it up with the varsity and have done very well, more than holding their own.”
There are 17 players in the program and up to 11 will suit up for varsity games. The Cats picked up where they left off when official practices began last month. Skills have continued to be emphasized, as well as adding depth.
“I think we’re deeper this year at virtually every position,” Dowse said. “In year one, I felt we had a pretty good summer, but when the season started, it was almost like we were starting all over. This year we’ve hit the ground running.”
The Cats return three all-region performers from last season. Junior wing Jace Sanderson was a first-team player, while guard Bree Burnette and fellow senior forward Paula Robertson were voted to the second team.
Sanderson’s 11.4 points per game tied her for the highest scoring average to go with five rebounds and 1.6 steals. Burnette was there for 8.3 points and 1.6 steals per game. Robertson averaged 11.4 points and snatched 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals. Robertson missed the final nine games because of injury, and she is expected to return to the court next month.
Senior forward Chelsey Griggs is back, and she lettered the previous two seasons and started last year. Freshman Mak Taylor will take the floor at shooting guard. Sophomore Morgan Palmeri will play in the post as Robertson continues her recovery.
Dowse named juniors Jaylee McDaniel, Kenley Thompson and Madison Hall and freshman Ally Phillips as ones who will be heavy contributors off the bench.
“From a basketball standpoint, our skills have improved significantly and we’ve gotten stronger,” Dowse said. “They’re a little bit bigger and stronger, they’ve been in the weight room another year and are a year older. There were times we got pushed around pretty good last year, and I don’t think there will be as much of that this year.
“I really like their cohesiveness. For instance, we have late practice this (last) week. I think they really enjoy being around each other and that’s really big in any sport, especially in girls sports. I’m really happy to see that.”
Gilmer will run a flex offense much like last season. Dowse hopes to take better advantage of pushing the tempo and scoring in transition. The three-point shot will continue to be a weapon for the Cats, and Dowse noted where he expects improvement.
“We’ve got to be able to put the ball on the floor better than we did last year. We were pretty much a catch-and-shoot team,” he said. “If we can get people coming off a screen uncontested, we might get an easy layup, but everything else was catch and shoot. When teams try to take that away this year, we’ve got some kids who can put it on the deck and create a little bit or at least draw a second defender.
“Jace is much improved in that area, Mak can do that, Ally is good with that, as are Paula, Chelsey and Bree. Morgan is greatly improved from last year. We’ll be a little more dynamic with being able to put it on the floor and create scoring opportunities.”
GHS has the flexibility to be adaptive defensively from zone to man or a mix of both.
“Our bread and butter will be straight up half-court man-to-man. We have some match-up zones and have worked hard on our press. Coach (Travis) Sanderson is really good at teaching that, and I kind of let him run with that. We have increased length and our basketball IQ is a little higher,” Dowse said.
“Last year we ended up running a lot of zone toward the end of the season, but I think this is more of a man-to-man team. I like that and prefer that. They’re a little more physical, and I think that will help us.”
Gilmer is looking to improve upon its 16 wins and Sweet 16 appearance. The Cats finished the regular season in fourth place last year. The team discussed goals for the season and they are lofty.
“We voted on them and revoted and narrowed them down,” Dowse said. “They want 22 wins on the season — and that includes region and state tournaments — to be region champions and take a shot at a state championship. You’ve got to be good and I think we will be, and you have to be lucky with your draw and injuries.”
GHS, ranked No. 7 in Class 3A, began its season Nov. 8 with a 59-35 loss to Creekview, the No. 7 ranked team in Class 5A.