The Gilmer Lady Cats are looking for more than just a trip to the state basketball tournament this season.
GHS has reached the postseason six years in a row, and coach Susan Nunn and the Cats hope to be more than a “one-and-done” team this year.
“We’re proud as the Lady Cats basketball program and that we’ve been to the state tournament for many years in a row now,” she said. “But we’ve only made it past the first round one of those times. We feel like we should’ve last year, so we’ve got unfinished business this year.
“If we don’t end up in that region championship game, and if we don’t end up making it past the first round, then we’re going to feel like we were unsuccessful this year. I believe we have the personnel to do that, and they have the confidence and mindset that we’re going past the first round and we’re getting to that region championship game.”
Gilmer posted a 21-8 record last season and replaces former all-region players MaryLee Callihan and Mallory Kiser.
“Losing MaryLee and Mallory, the combination of those two from last year, we’re losing our two highest scorers, our highest rebounder (Callihan), and Mallory was our assist leader,” Nunn said.
With returning nucleus of players, Nunn pointed to their camaraderie as a factor that makes them unique.
“This group, more than any that I’ve had probably, is a close-knit group and have been for many years,” she said. “They’ve all played ball together since about third or fourth grade, and they are friends and do care about each other. There’s no drama in that locker room, and it’s all about each other and caring about each other. That’s a good start.”
Preseason conditioning began at the start of last month, and official practices kicked off Oct. 21. Through the early weeks of practice, Nunn has honed aspects at both ends of the court.
“We’re continuing to focus on our man defense because our intention is to really push people and pressure them, so we’ve worked hard to continue that. We’ve been working hard to develop our young (sophomore) post player Elly Callihan. She’s looking really good for us right now and we’re pleased with her progress.”
Continuing to develop players will be key for a program with only 17. One post player Nunn expected to be “impactful for depth off the bench” did not return to the team this season and another is sidelined with an injury.
“Although we have a lot coming back, Emma Deyton is out with an injury and she’ll find out next week if she’ll be able to come back at all,” Nunn said. “Maybe we came into the season feeling a little more prepared because we had so many returning, but then we lost two.
“Right now, we only have 17 girls in our entire program and that includes three who are injured and five freshmen. Next year, I think we’ll have a big crew of freshmen coming in, so hopefully we’ll get to the point where we’re building some depth, but we’ve had some slim groups coming in.”
Senior Bailey Teague returns to play point guard. Juniors Emma Callihan, Hope Colwell, Beth Burnette and Jasmine Staley will vie for the two wing positions.
“Bailey is so good at pushing the ball and penetrating to the basket,” Nunn said. “She’s not just looking to come down the floor and set up a play and pass. She’s looking to take it to the hoop every chance she can.
“We have a good group of guards that tend to be well conditioned and can handle long amounts of time in a ball game. I’m hoping that helps us because they’re not going to get a lot of time off the floor.”
Elly Callihan and senior Jalynn Ledford will play in the post, as will senior Anne Elise Williams.
“Elly gives us a different look in the post this year,” Nunn said. “MaryLee was more of a turn-around-and-shoot-type player. Elly is long, can jump and has a good touch at the basket so the athletic ability at the post will be different. We have Jalynn on the other post who is solid and strong.”
GHS will work the ball inside offensively and look to the perimeter when that strategy falters.
“We are definitely looking to play inside-out and looking to hit the post first and for that high-low look with Elly and Jalynn,” Nunn said. “Then we’ll be looking to kick it back out to all of those wing shooters ... I’ll take any one of them spotting up and shooting the ball.”
On the defensive end, the Cats will play with tenacity and attack relentlessly.
“We’re definitely looking to play mostly man defense this year,” said Nunn. “That’s kind of been our tempo over the last few years, and we’ve continued to get better at it. And then full-court press; we’ll open up most games pressing and finish most of them pressing. We want to be in people’s face from the start of the game.”
Nunn expects Heritage and Northwest to be two of the region’s top teams.
Scott Kiser and Ashley Waters return to assist Nunn this season.
Purple and White game
The Lady Cats played their annual purple and white scrimmage last Tuesday. The teams were split evenly for three quarters before the varsity faced reserves in the fourth.
Nunn discussed what she wanted to get out of the game, saying, “One thing I wanted to see was how many fouls Elly had because she tends to want to swat everyone in the building, and she didn’t foul much at all. I was pleased with the points we put on the board. In three quarters, they each had 50-something points before I switched the teams up for the fourth quarter.
“I also wanted to see if Jalynn would last the ball game. When we had (more depth), I knew I could sub in and out and Jalynn has some bad knees. I was pleased to see her finish and us put some points on the board from the outside.”
Elly Callihan scored 17 points in the game and both Emma Callihan and Ledford had 13. Teague totaled nine, Colwell tallied seven and Burnette finished with six.
GHS began the season at press deadline against Sonoraville.