The Gilmer Bobcats basketball team looked to stay undefeated on the young season as Gilmer played back-to-back days this past weekend. On Friday night, the “Cats” beat Fannin County 72-41 in a game where history was made. Saturday saw Gilmer take on a tougher Murray County squad, but they still managed a 63-48 victory.The game against the Rebels started out quickly for the “Cats.” After winning the opening tip, Joe Bob Charles hit a three-pointer for the first of his many points. Two possessions later, Charles intercepted a pass and took it for another basket. Within seconds, Wheeler Lancey knocked down an NBA length three-pointer and forced Fannin to call a timeout.

With the timeout, Fannin had hoped to slow down the Bobcats, but it was wildly unsuccessful as Charles threw down a two-handed slam that made the student section erupt. The remainder of the first quarter was more of the same, with Charles completely taking over the game and scoring at will. At the end of one, the Bobcats led 21-8.

Gilmer picked up where it left off, with Taner Reece getting a steal and finding Charles on an outlet pass for an old fashioned three-point play. Hayden Hoequest and Corey Waters hit threes of their own, and Reece knocked down a long two.

Add in all of Charles’ baskets and the Bobcats led 44-20 at halftime behind 33 points from Charles.

Things slowed down for the “Cats” slightly in the third quarter, but Gilmer was still able to increase the lead. The Fannin student section was silenced, and Gilmer’s was exactly the opposite when Charles threw down his second dunk of the night.

He continued to score with ease; by the end of the third quarter he was in striking distance of a Gilmer High School record.

Charles entered the game in the fourth quarter with a mission and he quickly achieved it. His eight points in the fourth quarter gave him the school record for most points scored in a single game, previously held by Ryan Lowery with 46 points.

On this night, Charles broke the record with 49 points and could have very easily added on to it had the game not been already out of hand.

Finishing out the fourth quarter and getting quality playing time were JT Bosley, Cole Edmondson, Preston Kingsley, Zayne Grenier, and Hayden Hoequest.

Saturday was a different story for the Bobcats as Gilmer traveled to Murray County to face the Indians. As usual, the Bobcats won the tip and scored first. Waters was involved on nearly every play early on, scoring baskets, anticipating passes, and creating turnovers.

Charles, Lancey, and Bailey Allen scored nine straight points and the “Cats” led 15-2 early. Reece dominated the paint for two points and Lancey got into the lane for two more and the Bobcats led 19-8 at the end of the first.

The second quarter was dead even with neither team ever getting much going. Allen, Charles, and Kyle Hedden contributed to the ten-point second quarter and at halftime the Bobcats led the Indians 29-18.

Allen’s great game continued in the third with assists and fundamental play. He added another two points in there, along with Lancey and Waters leading the way.

Fouls were starting to pile up for both teams with many players being in foul trouble, and it would play a role in how the fourth quarter turned out. With just the final quarter to play, Gilmer led 40-28.

Coming off of a high energy game the night before, the “Cats” looked sluggish at times. Toughness and resiliency fueled the fourth quarter for the Bobcats.

Reece had another one of his signature blocks which directly resulted in two points from Lancey. Allen hit two straight shots followed by another from Hoequest.

Hard work underneath in the paint resulted in a plethora of offensive rebounds. Out of this the Bobcats got a Waters three-pointer, Reece free throws, and another basket from Waters.

With both teams being in the bonus, the remainder of the game was full of fouls and free throws. Lancey hit four straight to close out the game and give the Bobcats the victory.

After dropping 49 points the night before, Charles stepped aside and let his teammates showcase their leadership abilities.

Lancey and Allen led the team with 15 points each, followed by Charles and Waters with 12. The team will travel to Chestatee on Tuesday December 10 and to Dalton on Friday December 13th.