“Cats’” Claws Scratch Fannin: Gilmer Runs Roughshod Over Rebels
Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports December 8, 2011
The Gilmer High School Bobcats basketball teams hosted the Lady Rebels and Rebels of Fannin County. Both teams emerged unscathed as the Lady Bobcats won 41-38 and the Bobcat boys won going away 74-39.The Lady “Cats” signature full court woman to woman press was forcing Fannin turnovers at a furious rate. The stifling Gilmer defense forced Fannin into numerous bad shots. The Lady Bobcats held the Lady Rebels to a paltry two points in the first quarter, while scoring 11 on points on offense.
The Lady Rebels’ offense woke up in the second quarter, despite Brittany Lowman blocking shots like a bartender at last call. She finished the game with six. The Lady Rebels used an 8-4 run to cut the Gilmer lead to 15-10.
Fannin’s Logan O’Neal came of the bench and hit two big three, getting fouled on the second one, however, she missed the free throw.
Momentum was swinging the Lady Rebels’ way, until Lowman’s block of McKenzey Ryder’s fast break bucket ignited the home team crowd into a feverish frenzy. The Lady Bobcat led 17-13 at the half.
The Gilmer defense frustrated Fannin all night, while the Lady Bobcats’ Jenna Parks, who led all scorers with 14 points and tied with teammate, Ansley Mulkey, for the game lead in rebounds with seven, befuddled the Fannin defense on the other end of the floor. The Lady “Cats” outscored the Lady Rebels 10-5 in the third to take a 27-18 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Rebels exhibited some fight into the fourth, as the visiting Lady Rebels repeatedly cut into the lead, behind the stick fingers of Ashley Ellison, who led all with four steals, and the timely shooting of Mallory Arp, who finished with 13 points.
The Lady Rebels cut the lead to seven, 30-23 off of another O’Neal three point basket with just under six minutes left in the game. An Arp three cut the lead to five, with 3:04 left; however the Lady Rebels never got closer than three as the home team Lady “Cats” closed the door with a 41-38 win.
(Photo by LT Melton)
After a brief Hip Hop dance routine, courtesy of Dance Etc, the boys’ game commenced. The Bobcats beasted early, as Gilmer ran out to a 10-2, lead before the game’s third minute. By the end of the first quarter, the Bobcats led 19-5.
Despite the Bobcats picking up a plethora of fouls, causing Fannin to frequent the free throw line, Gilmer gave Fannin a heavy dose of full court press all night. Just 1:21 into the second quarter Fannin was in double bonus (shooting two free throws for every defensive Gilmer foul); however, the Rebels could not capitalize.
The Bobcats utilized the full court press, as well as an abundance of rebounds 33-18 Gilmer advantage, to outscore the Rebels 17-7 in the second quarter, allowing the home team to take a 36-15 lead into the half.
The Rebels simply had no answer for the full court pressure that produced a 13-3 advantage for Gilmer in steals; Joe Bob Charles led all players with six. He also led the game in scoring and assists, 17 and five respectively. Ryan Lowery, who finished with a double double, 11 points and 10 rebounds, repeatedly sparked fast breaks with a defensive rebound followed by an outlet pass. He also added two crowd pleasing block shots.
The second half mirrored the first half, as the Bobcats relentless defensive pressure frustrated Fannin’s offense the rest of the night. The Rebels’ leading scorer, Luke Adams, finished two points shy of double digits.
Each team cleared its bench, as Gilmer cruised to a 74-39 victory.
