The Gilmer Lady Cats have hit their stride and racked up three more wins.
The victories started last Wednesday evening at home versus Northwest Whitfield. The Cats claimed the region win by a 59-47 margin, and the only run the Bruins made came in the second half with GHS starters on the bench.
GHS smothered its last two opponents, and it was Adairsville’s turn Friday. Gilmer thumped the Tigers on their home court, 50-23.
Gilmer ended the week at home the following day. The Murphy, N.C., Bulldogs were outclassed from the opening tipoff and never threatened the Cats. GHS led early, and its lead only expanded for a 67-22 triumph.
The final win marked Gilmer’s seventh over its past 10 games and improved their record to 10-7.
“It was a great week for us and probably our best this season,” said head coach David Dowse. “We’re beginning to peak, and we’re playing outstanding defense. Offensively, we’re sharing the ball. We’ve had a number of different kids lead us in scoring, and today just about everybody scored.
“You can see they’re coming together because they’re celebrating one another. Our bench is getting louder, and I’m really proud of them.”
Turnovers marred the Northwest game. The teams combined for 22 in the first half, which led to stagnated offensive performances.
Gilmer managed to make four three pointers through two quarters but not much else. Bruin center Miah Triana scored 10 points in the half and was their only player to make a shot from the field.
GHS led 20-18 at the half, and Bree Burnette hit two threes and Aliza Chastain made another to start the third quarter. Gilmer cashed in a pair of fast break baskets after Bruin turnovers to open a 33-20 lead at the midpoint of the quarter.
The Cats continued to cash in Bruin turnovers to a 41-29 edge entering the fourth.
Dowse opted to go with a fresh five and sat his starters for nearly three minutes. Over that span, Northwest went on a 7-2 run.
“It was more about accountability and with something we were discussing during a timeout,” Dowse said of the personnel change. “We did not see eye to eye so we had an extended period of time on the bench. We came back to practice Thursday and got that worked out.”
Leading 45-38 with 2:34 to pay, Gilmer starters returned to the game. Chastain, Jace Sanderson and Paula Robertson fueled the Cats’ offense to help secure their 12-point win.
Chastain led the way with 20 points and Burnette added 15. Robertson and Sanderson finished with nine and six, respectively.
Chelsey Griggs grabbed seven rebounds and dished seven assists. Madison Bradshaw and Grace Bramlett collected five and four rebounds.
Robertson lit up Adairsville for 23 points and Sanderson was there for 11, Chastain had eight, Griggs finished with six and Carley Becerra added two.
The Cats raced past the Tigers, who had little offense to offer. GHS jumped to a 23-11 halftime lead, which stood at 35-16 entering the fourth.
Murphy did not have the offensive firepower either to compete with Gilmer. The Cats shot 52 percent from the field, which included a deadly 14/29 effort from three-point territory.
Gilmer’s full-court press and defense was equally as formidable. The Cats forced 28 turnovers, which they cashed in for 42 points. Gilmer swiped 15 steals and defected 22 passes and held the Dogs to a 22 percent shooting performance.
“We shot really well. Our common theme when we’ve been successful is defense,” Dowse said. “Aliza Chastain has played her best three games of the season, and it’s not just because she’s scoring. We know she can shoot it, and defensively she’s using her quickness to be disruptive. She’s getting in passing lanes and causing defections and steals. That’s been huge for us.”
MHS only managed four points in the first quarter and were down 37-11 at halftime. Murphy’s worst quarter came in the third as Gilmer’s lead ballooned to 56-14, and every GHS player had taken the court by game’s end.
Seniors Chastain, Bramlett, Carley Becerra and Madison Bradshaw started the game along with sophomore Jaylee McDaniel. They played all of the first and third quarters, as well as a latter portion of the fourth.
“Senior night for me has always been really important,” Dowse said. “I want it to be something that is really important in our program. I’m glad we had an experience for our seniors and for all of our players as well.”
Gilmer scoring: Chastain (19), Burnette (nine), McDaniel and Sanderson (eight), Robertson (seven), Bradshaw and Becerra (five), Bramlett (three), Morgan Palmeri and Griggs (two).
Chastain had six steals, Bramlett was the top rebounder with four, and Bradshaw added three assists.
Junior varsity still unbeaten
The junior varsity Cats ripped through two more opponents.
First up was Adairsville last Friday, and GHS cruised past the Tigers for a 58-20 win. At home against Murphy the next day, the Cats once again put the game away by the half and won, 50-18.
The Cats hit six of their seven three pointers in the first period at Adairsville. Four were made by Makenna Taylor, and she led all scorers with 23 points.
Gilmer was ahead 29-9 after a quarter and 49-11 by the half. GHS continued to outpace the Tigers in the second half and won easily.
Madison Hall was in double figures as well with 10 points.
Taylor drained seven threes against Murphy and outscored the Bulldogs by herself over the course of the game. Both Jaylee McDaniel and Ally Philips scored eight points, Rosie Everett had seven, and Hall finished with five.
MHS only scored six points in the first quarter and trailed 47-8 at the half. It did not get any better in the second half as GHS improved to 9-0 on the season.