The Gilmer Bobcats closed out the regular season versus the Northwest Whitfield Bruins.
GHS hosted Northwest last Tuesday, and the Bruins took control of the post and the game. The Cats were tasked with playing from behind all night, and they could not claw their way back after NHS built a solid lead in the third quarter.
The Bruins added to their advantage in the fourth for a 71-50 win.
“We were down by four at the half, and against a team like that with so much speed, and with us not having as many subs, it’s tough to keep up with them,” coach Jordan Hice said. “In the third quarter, we started winding down, and they always have that good quarter where they strengthen their lead.”
NHS made two threes to start the game before concentrating its efforts inside. Including its transition offense and second chance opportunities after offensive rebounds, the Bruins scored 42 points from point-blank range over the course of the game.
Blane Greene was Northwest’s go-to scorer, and he bullied his way inside and finished with 21 points.
GHS fell behind 16-4 to start the game before Bobcat guards Luke Wimpey, Braden Jenkins and Ethan Banks got the offense going.
Gilmer entered the second quarter down, 21-13. Cade Carter scored two for GHS before Wimpey did the same with a baseline drive and added one from the foul line. After a Jenkins three, Gilmer cut the Bruins’ lead to 25-21.
Both teams drove to the basket for points and fouls over the final four minutes of the half, and GHS entered the break behind, 30-26.
NHS pounded the ball inside and scored 14 more post points in the third quarter. The Bruins went on a 14-2 run and extended their lead to 44-30 with three minutes left in the third.
Wimpey, Jenkins and Banks accounted for Gilmer’s third quarter points, and the Bruins held a 50-36 edge with a quarter to play.
Points were traded evenly early in the fourth, but GHS never got closer than 14 points. Over the final 5:30 of the game, NHS maintained a 20-point cushion en route to its victory.
Jenkins led GHS with 20 points, Wimpey added 11, Banks scored 10 and both Carter and Brady Sanford finished with four.
Gilmer ended the regular season with an 11-11 overall record, which included a 5-7 mark against region opponents. The Cats entered the region tournament as the No. 5 seed and faced No. 4 Heritage at Tuesday’s press deadline.
Hice discussed Heritage and what GHS focused on at practice in preparation.
“We worked on defense and watched a lot of game film,” he said. “They do a good job of getting the ball into the paint, and their guards are good at pulling up and shooting really quick. We worked on cutting that penetration off and trying to force them to shoot a little farther outside.
“Offensively, we just have to be able to move the ball and work the ball so we can find a good shot.”
JV Bobcats
The junior varsity Bobcats closed out their season against Northwest Whitfield, and the Bruins led from start to finish for a 56-35 win.
Noah Ballew led GHS with 12 points on and scored seven in the opening quarter.
NHS had a balanced attack and made six three pointers on the day. The Bruins led 18-10 after a quarter and 33-18 by halftime.
While the second half was closer, Northwest maintained its lead. The Bruins opened a 45-26 advantage entering the fourth where they preserved their victory.
Christian Sumner added seven points for GHS, Mark Tyson scored four and Jack Jones, Brit Taylor and Connor Wimpey all netted three points each.