Sanford Scores 24, Jones 21 Against Heritage; JV Bests Lady Generals

GHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports

Lady Cats Emily Sanford and Hannah Jones were in a friendly competition for the leading scorer position throughout the contest at Heritage last Friday.

Sanford came out ahead with 24 points, while Jones completed the game with 21. Gilmer reaped the benefits of the friendly competition, as the Lady Cats toppled the Lady Generals 64-49.

The Lady Cats starting five position themselves on defense last Friday at Heritage. Emily Sanford (25) and Hannah Jones (2) scored 24 and 21 points, respectively, to help propel Gilmer to a 64-49 victory over the Lady Generals. (Photo by: Kevin Hensley)

The Lady Cats starting five position themselves on defense last Friday at Heritage. Emily Sanford (25) and Hannah Jones (2) scored 24 and 21 points, respectively, to help propel Gilmer to a 64-49 victory over the Lady Generals. (Photo by: Kevin Hensley)

The first quarter was marred by turnovers from both sides. A strong Gilmer defense, mixed with three combined blocks from Baylee Burnette and Kaylee Deyton gave the Lady Cats an opportunity to seize a 12-8 lead by the end of the period.

A back-and-forth second quarter followed, with GHS looking to take a 25-22 lead into the locker room. However, a Heritage three-point shot with 22 seconds left before the break left the game tied 25-25 by halftime.

The same pattern of back-and-forth developed early in the third period, until the Lady Cats put together a quick 7-0 run to pull ahead. Gilmer built off the momentum throughout the second half of the game, turning a 49-36 lead after three quarters into a 64-49 victory.

“They played a great game,” said GHS head coach Kim Charles after the win. “We watched the tape on them yesterday and we were pretty fluid. Our last three or four games … we might’ve won some of them, but I don’t feel like our rhythm has been as good. I felt like tonight, I felt like we were right where we needed to be.”

The win improved the Lady Cats to a 10-5 (5-2 in Region 7-4A play) record for the year.

JV overcomes early deficit, beats Heritage

Lady Cat Michaela Staley shoots a free throw at Heritage last Friday. Along with Katie Kiker, she led Gilmer with 12 points in the 35-22 JV victory over the Lady Generals.

Lady Cat Michaela Staley shoots a free throw at Heritage last Friday. Along with Katie Kiker, she led Gilmer with nine points in the 35-22 JV victory over the Lady Generals. (Photo by: Kevin Hensley)

The JV Lady Cats started the afternoon with a 35-22 victory over the Lady Generals.

Mary Lee Callihan finally got the Lady Cats on the board in the first quarter, with a bucket at the 2:49 mark. This came during a period that featured missed shots and a lack of rebounds from both teams, resulting in Heritage claiming a 5-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.

A McKenzie Hagin three-point shot gave Gilmer a 10-8 lead midway through the second quarter, its first of the game. The Lady Cats continued to stay ahead and led 15-12 at halftime.

GHS benefitted from a bevy of turnovers from the Lady Generals in the second half of the game, highlighted by a 13-0 third quarter scoring barrage from the Lady Cats. Michaela Staley capped off the game by dropping a shot at the final buzzer, to give Gilmer the 35-22 win.

“We played a little bit of a different game this time, because we were missing a few players,” explained GHS JV coach Susan Nunn. “We played a slower pace, a zone defense and didn’t put any full-court pressure (against Heritage). But, it worked for us today and we slowed their game down some. We had some great plays from some different players today. Michaela Staley did an excellent job at the post and Katie Kiker stepped up and played her best game of the season from the guard spot, by far.”

STATS (Lady Cats):

Emily Sanford: 24 points, seven rebounds, 3/5 on free shots.

Hannah Jones: 21 points, one rebound, one steal, one block, 5/6 on free throws.

Baylee Burnette: Seven points, five blocks, four rebounds, two steals.

Sarah Aaron: Four points, three steals, one rebound.

Kaylee Deyton: Four points, nine rebounds, one steal, one block.

Harley Weaver: Two points, two rebounds, two blocks, one steal.

Taylor Boling: Two points.

Emily Reece: 12 rebounds, two steals.

Mary Lee Callihan: Two rebounds.

STATS (JV Lady Cats): 

Katie Kiker: Nine points, five rebounds, four steals, 3/4 on free throws.

Michaela Staley: Nine points, seven rebounds, one steal, 3/6 on free throws.

Mary Lee Callihan: Six points, three rebounds, two steals, 0/2 on free throws.

McKenzie Hagin: Five points, six rebounds, one steal.

Olivia Thompson: Four points, four rebounds, one steal.

Mallory Kiser: Two points, three steals, one rebound.

Ashlyn Calvert: Three rebounds.

 

 

 

 

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