The Gilmer High School Bobcats basketball teams face those from arch rival Pickens High School. The Lady “Cats” fell to the Dragonettes, 57-48; however the Bobcats lambasted the Dragons 67-37 led by Joe Bob Charles’ 26 points. Charles joined the “Cats’” club of 1,000 point scorers, scoring his 1,000th and 1,001st point on a layup with 2:59 left in the third quarter.The Lady “Cats” played a back and forth game throughout. The battle began in the first quarter as Gilmer got off to an 8-6 lead early; however, Pickens picked up the pace and led 18-15 going into the second quarter.

The second quarter was a defensive struggle, as only 21 points were scored total in the period. With just under three minutes left in the first half, Gilmer’s Brittany Lowman tied the game, 21-21, with a jumper. The Dragonettes pulled ahead by two at the half, 28-26.

Pickens pulled away a bit in the third. The “Nettes” scorched the nets, as Pickens picked up an 8-0 run to begin the quarter. Britton Farlow’s three pointer cut the lead to five, with just under five left in the third; however, the Nettes stayed hot and led by 12, 47-35 going into the fourth.

The Lady “Cats” kept cutting it close but could not keep the Dragonettes from the 57-48 win. Lowman led the Lady “Cats” with 21 points. Farlow and Bailey Charles each had eight.

The Bobcats broke out early, busting open an 8-2 lead early in the game. The Dragons responded with a 6-2 run that tied the game; however, a three from Charles sparked a 12-4 “Cats’” closing of the quarter. Gilmer entered the second quarter leading 20-13.

The Bobcats’ defense was suffocating. A combination of press looks and numerous missed shots, despite a plethora of Pickens rebounds, saw the Dragons held scoreless in the second period until 2:57 was left in the first half. Pickens picked up only four points in the period. Gilmer led by 21 at half time, 38-17.

The “Cats” cruised to victory in the second half; however, the electricity in the crowd was palpable as Charles got closer to the milestone. At the 2:59 mark of the third quarter, Charles scored his 1,000th and 1,0001st point. The game was stopped briefly as Charles was presented the game ball by his father, assistant coach, Al Charles.

After the “Cats” crushed the Dragons, 67-37, FYN spoke with both Al and Joe Bob Charles, as well as head coach, Jordan Hice, about the significance of Charles reaching 1,000 plus points, especially against the bitter 515 rival Pickens High School.

Joe Bob said, “That’s what coach said, he said if it was going to be against anybody it would be Pickens.
Honestly I just wanted to come out here and win and I figured if I do that my mindset would be right and I would come out here and score it and not even realize it.”

Joe Bob also spoke about both he and the crowd’s anticipation as the milestone became closer and closer to being within his grasp.

“Honestly I knew it was coming in the next two or three possessions. I was just looking forward to it and seeing the crowd erupt and everything. I was just waiting for it.”

Al Charles emotionally expounded on being able to present his own son with the game ball after the milestone was reached.

“That’s a once and lifetime opportunity to get to do that, and I appreciate Jordan thinking of me at that time to get me to do that.”

Hice spoke about the satisfaction of coaching a player who reached such a tremendous milestone.

“You know it’s just the greatest feeling to be involved with something like that. I do a little bit on the side of coaching, but Joe Bob he’s just one of those players that he’s got the drive he works so hard and just to be a part of that and see a player with such drive as he does to go out there and get what he wants and just enjoys it so much. I mean you couldn’t ask for such a good player and a team that backs him and supports him and wants it. It was kind of like the team was feeding of him because they knew he had to get that 25, so they doing everything they could to get him open so he could get more shots.”