LaFayette had too much offense and turnovers did not do the Bobcats any favors in their final game of the regular season.
The Ramblers (15-9) hosted the Cats last Tuesday and the issues that have plagued Gilmer this season continued to do so. LaFayette built an early lead and put the game away in the third quarter for a 72-42 win.
The Ramblers received 27 extra possessions because of GHS turnovers and Cats gave the ball away eight times in the first quarter.
“Lafayette played well,” said head coach Sean Glaze. “They were up for their senior night and, we just did a really poor job of executing.
“They run a number of different defenses, and even though we kind of prepped for that and had seen it on film, we didn’t respond well with attacking their man press or their zones, and again, the turnovers were a huge part of the outcome.”
Noah Rice made two threes in the first and Andrew Chastain hit another, but Gilmer only made two other shots from the field. LHS drained the same amount of shots from three-point territory and also added nine points in transition.
The Ramblers converted Gilmer’s turnovers into 10 points and led 27-13 after a quarter. Gilmer had its most productive quarter before the half. Keegen Bryant, Mason West and Preston McVey added points with Rice.
LHS led 43-26 entering the third period. Gilmer committed 13 turnovers and missed all eight shots from the field. Seven Ramblers scored points to open a 64-30 lead.
McVey tallied eight of his 12 points in the fourth. Jaden Sevcech and Alix Miltiades both made a basket as well in the loss.
Rice scored nine and Chastain had seven points. McVey pulled down five rebounds. Miltiades scored five and Bryant added four.
Gilmer is 7-17 overall. The Cats are the No. 5 seed in the region tournament and faced No. 4 LaFayette at press deadline.