The Gilmer Lady Cats ended their four-game skid with a pair of victories.
GHS was on its home court last Tuesday for a nonregion game against Union County. It was the teams’ second meeting of the season, and just like the first, a last-second shot could have altered the outcome. However, Union was unable to take advantage at the final buzzer once again, and GHS came out on top, 47-45.
Gilmer began its region schedule Friday at Adairsville, and the Tigers were overmatched from the start. GHS was hot from outside in the first half and opened a 19-point lead at the break. GHS continued to pour it on over the final two quarters for a 65-26 win.
Union struggled in the first quarter as nine turnovers limited shots. Mak Taylor scored nine of her team-high 17 points in the quarter, and the Cats surged ahead, 17-6. GHS began the second with a 8-2 run as its lead widened to 25-8. The Panthers found some life and outpaced Gilmer14-4 to trim the Cats’ advantage to 29-22 at the half.
GHS committed a game-high six turnovers in the third and made just three shots from the field. UCHS drew within one entering the fourth, 36-35.
The Cats did just enough over the final eight minutes to hold on for the win. Union opted to foul in the waning moments of the game. Jace Sanderson went to the free-throw line with 9.1 seconds left and hit the first attempt, and UCHS collected the rebound and raced down the court. An off-balance three-point attempt at the buzzer drew iron and GHS claimed the win.
Sanderson scored 12 points and both Paula Robertson and Chelsey Griggs added six. Griggs was a rebounding machine and pulled down 16.
The Cats were deadly from outside against Adairsville where they hit 12/25 three-point attempts. Sanderson drained five in the first half, six total and led the Cats with an 8/12 shooting night for 24 points.
GHS shot 48 percent from the field, while AHS turned in a 26 percent effort and attempted 16 fewer shots. Gilmer was equally impressive defensively and racked up 16 steals and forced 23 turnovers. The Cats turned the Tigers’ offensive follies into 30 points.
GHS only led 11-9 after a quarter but that changed in the second as the Cats outscored Adairsville, 20-5. Gilmer emerged from the locker room with a 31-14 lead. Gilmer extended its lead to 48-21 with a quarter to play, and the deficit only widened in the fourth.
Griggs scored eight points and had six rebounds. Robertson was there for seven points, six assists and six boards. Bree Burnette and Madison Hall added six points apiece.
GHS is 3-5 overall and traveled to Ridgeland (7-0) at press deadline and hosts Calhoun Friday at 7 p.m. Gilmer will be in Blue Ridge Saturday to take on Fannin County (5-1) at 4:30 p.m.