The Gilmer High Lady Cats endured their first losses versus region opponents last week.
GHS hosted the White County Warriors Tuesday and had trouble getting shots to fall in a 66-49 loss. Gilmer was in Lumpkin County Friday, and the No. 2 ranked Indians downed the Cats, 67-46.
The game versus White was “one of those nights” for the Lady Cats. Layups, point-blank shots after offensive rebounds and open looks would not fall for the Cats. Gilmer’s struggles allowed White to stay in the game, and the Warriors pulled away in the second half.
“You definitely don’t like to have a night like that where everybody is struggling, but we absolutely had that,” GHS coach Susan Nunn said. “We couldn’t throw it in the ocean in the first half. We talked after the game that we’re a much better team than we showed.”
Emma Callihan scored 10 of Gilmer’s points in the first half as they trailed, 23-20. White’s head coach exchanged words with officials as the half ended, imploring them to call more fouls. GHS attempted 12 free throws through two quarters while White did not go to the line once.
The tactic appeared to work as the Warriors shot 16 free throws in the second half and made 13. The motivated Warriors outscored GHS 21-9 to push their lead to 44-29 entering the fourth.
Their advantage widened to as many as 17 points, and Nunn started to play reserves. Lady Cat Brooke Wilson scored seven of her 11 points in the fourth quarter, and teammate Haley Wilson added a three pointer.
Gilmer drew within 10 with 2:31 to play but could not get any closer.
“For whatever reason, we got down on ourselves really quick in the first half and just couldn’t get out of that funk,” Nunn said. “We’ve been good so far that when we’re struggling with something we figure it out. In the second half, we’re usually on fire and getting it right but we could not get it going. Emma Callihan had 20 points, but my other four starters combined to only score 11.”
Lumpkin gave GHS trouble at both ends of the court Friday. The Cats only managed four points in the opening quarter and LCHS snatched a quick lead.
“They are just solid from top to bottom. They really don’t have a weak area on the floor and make very few mistakes,” Nunn said. “You’ve got to play a good game with few turnovers, and you’ve got to make buckets when you get the opportunity because they’re going to keep coming at you and not miss very many. They’re very patient on the offensive end.”
Lumpkin deployed a zone defense that was quick to collapse, help and recover.
“They run their 2-3 zone to perfection and are very aggressive with it,” Nunn said. “Their zone is more of a matchup man-to-man look when they’re in that 2-3, and we just couldn’t get it figured out to start with.”
Emma Callihan was Gilmer’s top scorer. No further game or statistical information was available by press deadline.
“Emma Callihan was our leading scorer and she worked hard to get to the basket,” Nunn said. “I have to give her credit, but we just couldn’t get much of anything else happening.”
Gilmer is 11-4 overall and hosted Dawson at press deadline. GHS will travel to Adairsville Saturday for a 4 p.m. tipoff.