A slow start doomed the Gilmer Bobcats.
The Cats welcomed LaFayette (14-7) to the GHS gym last Tuesday, and the Ramblers led early and never looked back. The Cats had issues at both ends of the court, and as turnovers mounted, the Ramblers’ lead widened. The 74-43 loss dropped Gilmer’s region record to 3-6.
“It was the game we expected to be competitive with. We’re very comparable to them. We’ve got some good pieces,” said head coach Sean Glaze. “We’re struggling to put together a 32-minute game where we’re playing together at both ends of the floor. Defensively, we’ll have some guys in the right spots and talking and have a couple of guys taking a possession off.
“And then the same thing offensively. Again, it’s tough to overcome (turnovers). Our average number of turnovers in the losses we’ve had the last many weeks is probably around 24, and it’s tough to give the other team 24 extra possessions and be able to come back from that. So we’re still working on taking care of the ball. Hopefully that’s something that at some point clicks and the kids decide to play with the discipline and intensity that we’ve seen in practice.”
Gilmer’s 24 turnovers allowed LHS to have 17 more shots, and the Ramblers converted those turnovers into 32 points. LaFayette shot 43 percent from the field, while the Cats made 28 percent of their attempts.
The Cats’ seven turnovers in the opening quarter aided the Ramblers, who surged to a 25-10 lead. Gilmer only had two turnovers in the second, which led to its best quarter of the game. GHS outpaced LHS 16-14 to trail 39-26 at the break.
The Cats were unable to achieve double-digit scoring over the final two quarters. The Ramblers were ahead 51-34 entering the fourth, where they extended their lead to 31 points.
A.J. Callihan led GHS offensively with 11 points and eight rebounds. Preston McVey added seven points and seven boards. Andrew Chastain scored seven as well and pulled down five rebounds.
Gilmer is 7-14 overall and fifth in the region standings. GHS made its way to Heritage (14-6) at press deadline and hosts Northwest Whitfield (12-7) Friday at 8:30 p.m.
“We’ll go back through some stuff specific for Heritage,” Glaze said of Monday’s practice plans. “They play primarily man-to-man, so we’ll do a good job going through our man-to-man sets. We’re looking to get sharper defensively and to get guys playing with voices and rotating and being where we’re trusting them to be.”
JV rolls
The junior varsity Bobcats rode a hot start and downed the LaFayette Ramblers for a 63-50 victory.
GHS had strong scoring efforts from Noah Rice (18 points), Kayson Taylor (17) and Aden Richard (11).
The GHS trio, along with Silas West and Slade Smith, all put up points in the first quarter, which ended 19-8 in the Cats’ favor.
Gilmer hit nine three pointers on the evening. GHS began to heat up from outside in the second and sank four threes for a 36-20 lead at the half.
aFayette made up a little ground in the third, but not much. West scored seven of his nine points in the fourth. Smith finished with eight in the 13-point win.