“Cats” Claws Catch Indians in Cradle of “The Cage”
Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports January 4, 2012
The Lady Indians and Indians’ basketball teams of Lumpkin County came to Gilmer County to take on the Gilmer High School Lady “Cats” and Bobcats. “The Cage” claimed two victims, as the Lady Indians were pummeled 47-36, in a game not nearly as close as the final score indicated, and the Indians were scalped by 30 points, 80-50.The Lady “Cats” sped by the Lady Indians, like Cheetara chasing Mumm-Ra, on the way to a 20-8 first quarter lead. The Lady “Cats’” defense was suffocating the Lady Indians’ offense throughout the first half.
(Photo by LT Melton)
Gilmer’s active defense led to a plethora of steals that led to a multitude of fast break buckets. The Lady Bobcats pushed the lead to 24-9 with just under four minutes left, with yet another fast break basket from Samantha Mashburn, who was assisted by Jenna Parks’ half court pass. The home team led by 21 points, 28-9, at the half, after holding the visitors to one second quarter point.
The second half saw the Lady Indians don the proverbial war paint, as Lumpkin opened the second half with a deep three point basket. Ansley Mulkey answered with a lay up, assisted by Britton Farlowe.
(Photo by LT Melton)
The second quarter continued to go back and forth, as Lumpkin County’s 5-2 opening run, cut the Gilmer lead to 13, 30-17, with 5:40 left in the third quarter. Gilmer answered with a 6-0 run over the next two minutes and half minutes, to lead 36-17 with 2:51 left in the quarter. However, the Lady “Cats” carelessness with the ball led to a 7-2 run by the Lady Indians that saw the quarter end with Gilmer leading 38-24.
Mulkey led the Lady Bobcats in scoring, with 12 points. Bailey Charles, who controlled the tempo for much of the game, was second with nine.
Lumpkin County came out with a full court press that led to two quick baskets and a Gilmer time out. With 7:26 left in the game, the Lady Indians had cut the lead to nine, 38-27. The Lady Bobcats began to polish off the Lady Indians, outscoring Lumpkin 11-9 to secure the 47-36 victory.
The Bobcats began the sweep of Lumpkin County by trading baskets early, as both teams’ full court press produced a plethora of picked pockets and easy baskets. With 4:48 left in the first quarter Gilmer led 12-9.
(Photo by LT Melton)
A 7-2 Bobcats’ run, punctuated by Connor Webber’s steal and lay up, put the Bobcats up 19-11 with 2:09 left in the quarter. Gilmer pushed the lead up to 25-15; however, a buzzer beating Lumpkin County three by Evan Gaddis ended the period with the home team leading 25-18.
The second quarter saw the home team begin a Bobcat beat down of the Indians reminicent of Clu Haywood’s Home Run off of Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn in “Major League.” Gilmer was well on its way to “winning!” The Bobcats held a ridiculous rebounding advantage throughout the night, due in no small part to Ryan Lowery covering the glass like a fresh coat of Windex. Lowery finished with, a game high 15 rebounds (11 in the first half alone), teammate Ben Cole was the next closest with eight.
Lowery sparked numerous fast-breaks with outlet passes as the Gilmer increased to 33-18 over the first two minutes of the second quarter. Lowery’s thunderous blocked shot following an Indian steal in the back court brought the crowd to its feet. The Bobcats led 49-29 at half.
(#5) Connor Webber, (#33) Ben Cole Opposite
(Photo by LT Melton)
The Bobcats cruised to an easy 80-50 in the second half, as Lumpkin Coach Chris Guthrie repeatedly subbed all five players on the court, looking for a spark, to no avail. Gilmer’s head man, Jordan Hice, cleared the bench in the fourth.
The Bobcats had four players in double figures. Joe Bob Charles led all scorers with 17, Lowery contributed 11 for the game’s only double double, Webber and Cole each finished with 11.
