The Gilmer Bobcats made their way to Dalton last week for a pair of Christmas tournament basketball games.
The two-day event was held at Chastain Heritage School, and the Bobcats were missing multiple contributors both games. Gilmer met the host Lions Tuesday and fell, 60-30.
GHS returned to the court the next day and dropped a 72-53 game to the Walker School Wolverines.
The Bobcats took the floor Tuesday without starting guard Braden Jenkins and reserve post player Lewis Mulkey. Versus Walker, starting guard Carson Pierce joined them on the sideline.
Since they were short-handed, GHS coach Jordan Hice used the tournament to evaluate how his less experienced players reacted to the pressures of a game.
“I wanted to get the team some experience and see how they handled it. We had some kids step up,” Hice said.
“Britt Taylor scored 25 points (against Walker) and just couldn’t miss. I was looking for kids to step up and put them in positions they haven’t been in before to see who will step up. It gave them more of an opportunity to see how they handle game situations and gave me an idea of how I can trust them on the court.”
The Bobcats had difficulties finding consistent scoring versus Christian Heritage. GHS player absences were coupled with Cade Carter’s foul trouble. Hice noted he missed most of the second and third quarters, and the game was all but decided by the fourth.
“With Braden and Lewis out, we were already starting behind, and it was hard to find scoring,” Hice said. “Cade was in foul trouble most of the whole game. We lost a lot of scoring there and not having Braden and Lewis, we just really struggled.
“Chastain Heritage is a very athletic team and they have shooters. It’s a well-rounded team.”
GHS fell behind 33-16 at halftime. While nether team had an overwhelming scoring effort in the third, CHS was able to push its lead to 45-22 with eight minutes to play.
Gilmer was outscored 18-7 in the fourth as the Lions claimed the victory.
Ethan Banks was Gilmer’s top scorer with nine points, Pierce added six and Carter, Taylor and Brady Sanford all tallied four.
Against Walker, Hice got to see more of what his team had to offer in an adverse situation.
The Bobcats led 15-10 after the opening quarter. Taylor was there for eight of his 25 points on the night. In the second quarter, Taylor added nine more. However, he was the only Bobcat to score in the second as Walker’s press gave GHS fits.
“We played a lot of players who normally wouldn’t get to. We ended up doing better scoring, but when they jumped in a press in the second quarter, it killed us without those experienced guards like Braden and Carson out there,” Hice said.
“We turned it over a bunch and were still able to get within seven points in the third then went flat in the fourth.”
Walker built a 40-24 advantage by the break. Taylor was supplemented by Sanford on the outside while Carter went to work in the post for seven more points in the third.
GHS entered the fourth quarter trailing, 54-45. Walker kept the Bobcats from threatening its lead over the game’s final eight minutes , and extended it to 19 points by the end.
Taylor was joined in double figures by Sanford (13) and Carter (11).
The Bobcats have a 4-4 overall record and are 1-1 versus region foes.
Gilmer hosts North Hall Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Lumpkin County Saturday at 5:30 p.m.