The Gilmer Bobcats took care of business against the Southeast Whitfield Raiders for a region basketball victory.
The Bobcats made the road trip last Tuesday for their only game of the week. The Cats started to build a lead in the second quarter, which they extended to 20 points for a 65-45 victory.
Coach Jordan Hice was happy to see GHS play a complete game and be deliberate with its offense.
“The big thing for us is we didn’t have one of our crazy third quarters,” he said. “We spread the lead out and were in good shape going into the fourth. It was probably one of the first games all season where we got a lead, maintained it and didn’t let them come back. We were in control the whole time.
“We’ve been working a lot on moving the ball and just working the ball and making extra passes to get all five players involved. It wasn’t just one or two people touching the ball then trying to score. Everyone got involved. We’ve been working on all five players offensively being some kind of threat.”
GHS attacked from inside and out. Post players Cade Carter and Lewis Mulkey were there for 16 and 10 points, respectively. GHS drained six three pointers on the night, and four were made by Brady Sanford.
GHS opened a 10-9 edge after a quarter. Braden Jenkins and Luke Wimpey joined the aforementioned players for points in the second as the offense started to hum.
GHS led 31-19 at the break, and the third quarter looked much like the second. Both Carter and Mulkey scored six apiece, Wimpey and Sanford hit outside shots, and Gilmer’s lead jumped to 51-31 with eight minutes to play.
Gilmer reserves combined for 12 points in the fourth quarter to preserve the win.
Sanford led all scorers with 20 points. Wimpey and Gavin Burger each scored five, Mark Tyson, Britt Taylor, Jenkins and Bryson Sisson all tallied two points and Dylan Abercrombie added one.
GHS is 9-8 overall and 3-4 versus region foes. The Cats traveled to Heritage at press deadline and will host Ridgeland Friday at 8:30 p.m.