The Gilmer High Lady Cats return another veteran group of players to the basketball court.
Most of the players who will take the court for the Cats are either returning starters to multiple-year letter winners.
“I moved from the middle school to the high school a year before these girls did,” head coach Susan Nunn said. “The great thing about them is they know each other very well. They’re very smart basketball wise. They get it and that is a great thing about this group.
“All five of my starters have seen a lot of varsity time already. They all made varsity their freshman year. They are very experienced so the expectation is high for them and from me as well.”
Gilmer will attempt to get back to the state tournament for the ninth season in a row and will have to do so in a new region and classification.
GHS did not spend much time on the court over the summer, which is normally full of out-of-sate camps and scrimmages.
COVID-19 practice restrictions hampered what the Cats could do in June and July. Some players worked out on their own, though replicating a team setting is not a simple task.
“We were able to shoot some at the end but mostly it was just lifting some weights,” Nunn said. “It was pretty much a nothing summer. They may have been doing something on their own, but whether the intensity level is where it needs to be, and whether they can do that on their own without being in a group of people ... it’s just hard to emulate what goes on at a practice.”
Nunn mentioned the lack of a normal summer set them back entering the season because more teaching had to be done.
“Coming into the season all of our freshmen were all brand-new to it,” she said. “Where in the summer we could have had them knowing many plays and some defenses and presses, they had to come in and learn it the first few weeks.
“That makes it difficult because we were coming in those first few weeks doing a whole lot of explaining as opposed to just go, go, go. As far as our shooting, I could tell we were pretty rusty.”
However, with games quickly approaching, only so much time can be spent reviewing old material.
“It’s a little bit of a give-and-take because your games are still coming at the same time. Your varsity has to be prepared for that first game so you can only slow down so much to get stuff in,” Nunn said.
Point guard Bailey Teague and post player Jalynn Ledford were starters who graduated off last year’s 18-8 team. Six letter winners return this year and Nunn likes what they have to offer.
Gilmer will deploy three guards and two post players. Hope Colwell will run the point and fellow seniors Beth Burnette and Emma Callihan return as well. In the post will be junior all-state performer Elly Callihan and senior Emma Deyton.
Junior Lark Reece will be Gilmer’s first player off the bench and can play multiple spots on the court. The Cats’ remaining roster will be filled by new varsity players.
“I feel like with my starting five and Lark, we’re very well-rounded this year,” Nunn said. “I feel like we have a player filling in every slot that is going to be productive for us.
“This year is not about trying to get the ball to somebody, but how can we spread the wealth a little bit and be successful so that other teams can’t say ‘let’s shutdown Elly Callihan and we’re good to go.’”
Deyton gives GHS potent one-two punch with Elly Callihan down low. Deyton missed nearly all of last season with an injury but has returned ready to play.
“Emma Deyton missed all of last year except the last couple games because of her shoulder,” Nunn said. “I know she’s a tough girl and strong player, but a year off is a year off. Sometimes people come in and play like they’re a year behind but she is unwilling to let that happen because this is her senior year. She has stepped up and is going to do well for us.
“Elly was our MVP last year and she’s going to be even better I think.”
Defensive intensity has been a hallmark of the Lady Cat program for decades and Nunn plans for that to continue this season.
“Defensively, we love to play pressure man and love to run a press so we’re going to try and do those things as much as we can,” she said. “I feel like for us to be successful in the postseason, that is going to have to be our end game anyway.”
When Gilmer has the ball, GHS will attempt to keep opposing teams on their toes by attacking from all angles.
“Offensively, we’re going to look to distribute the ball in many places this year and try to get points from different areas,” Nunn said. “I want to make sure the girls understand the different layers of the plays we have instead of getting that quick hit and pass there and we’re going to shoot and we’re done. It’s got to be what else happens so we get kickouts to those other girls for baskets.”
GHS will get six new region mates this year, and the Cats will get to know more about those opponents as the season progresses. While there is some uncertainty, the Cats’ expectations of reaching the postseason remain in tact.
“We really know nothing about most of these teams except for Lumpkin,” Nunn said. “We had our team bonding night the other night where everyone talks about their team goals and personal goals. For most of our girls, knowing we made it to the Sweet 16 last year, and with all the experience we have coming back, they feel like we have to make it back there if not further.
“They want to finish better than anyone has in a long time here and they have the capability to do it. They have a great mindset for it and are willing to put in the work.”
Gilmer began its season last Saturday against the Copper Basin Cougars. GHS has had its way with CBHS in recent years, and their latest meeting was no different as the Cats rolled to a 70-26 win.