The Gilmer High Bobcats hosted the Dawson County last Tuesday to take on a restocked Tiger squad. Dawson’s steady scoring was bolstered by 10 three pointers as GHS lost, 73-49.
Gilmer was on the road Saturday in Adairsville. The hometown Tigers also made use of outside shots to build a formidable lead en route to their 84-61 win over the Bobcats.
GHS head coach Jordan Hice discussed the Dawson game, which included plenty of new faces who have served the Tigers well.
“We didn’t do a bad job scoring, but just had a hard time stopping them. Their starting five is really good,” Hice said. “They have a transfer in Jake Craft, he scored 28. They have another senior transfer (Joakeim Celstin), and he dropped 14 points on us. Another senior transfer (Tyler Lane) dropped 10 points on us. They have three really good transfers who have moved in and affected their program.
“We did a little better job of guarding them (compared to their first matchup), but they shot really well from the outside. We’re stopping the hard penetrators, but left a lot of open outside shots.”
Dawson made 10 three pointers on the night and three fell in the first quarter. Bobcats Braden Jenkins and Britt Taylor were there to give GHS an outside presence.
DCHS took a 20-9 lead into the second where Craft scored 13 of the Tigers’ 18 points. GHS made just three shots from the field while remaining points came from the free-throw line as Dawson’s lead widened to 38-20 by halftime.
Celstin had the hot hand for Dawson in the third period with 12 points. Jenkins scored seven of his 11 points in the third, but Gilmer found itself in a 58-32 hole with eight minutes to play.
Taylor and Dylan Abercrombie both hit threes for GHS in the fourth. Teammate Cade Carter provided seven post points, and Dawson secured its decisive win.
“We’re still looking for more people to score with (starter Ethan) Banks still out,” Hice said. “We’ve just struggled to find consistent scorers.”
Taylor led GHS with 14 points and Carter added 13.
Adairsville had plenty of offensive weaponry Saturday. Five Tigers reached double figures, and T.J. Printup Jr. led the way with 28 points.
Brady Sanford was the top scorer for GHS with 21 points and four others added at least six.
“We did better defensively against No. 3 (Printup). We still lost, but we did do a better job on their big player. He had 40-something against us the last time and we held him to 28,” Hice said.
“They had a couple kids they were kicking the ball to outside who were hitting some big buckets and picked up some slack. I did a little more subbing. Played Mark (Tyson) a pretty good bit and Bryson (Sisson) and Lewis (Mulkey) did good. We had a few contributors off the bench that helped us out some.”
Adairsville’s big offensive night was fueled by nine three pointers and a 23/38 performance from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, GHS only went to the line three times and made one.
Bobcats Carson Pierce, Sanford, Taylor, Jenkins and Carter all scored in the first to help GHS keep pace. The score was even at 18-all entering the second.
Sisson, Tyson and Abercrombie joined in the scoring action for GHS ahead of the half. The Tigers were aided by nine converted free throws and continued to have success from outside to open a 41-32 halftime lead.
Seven Tigers added points in the third quarter and Printup was there for 10. Sanford scored 11 in the third, but the Tigers were able to extend their lead to 68-50.
The Tigers continued to attack the lane and draw fouls in the fourth. GHS reached double-digit scoring in the quarter, but AHS continued to add to its lead.
Carter added eight points for GHS, Jenkins had seven and both Mulkey and Pierce finished with six.
GHS is 6-12 overall and traveled to North Hall at press deadline. Gilmer will travel to Cherokee Bluff Friday for an 8:30 p.m. tip.