Bobcats Rise Over Raiders on Senior Night

The Gilmer High School Bobcats basketball teams hosted the Raiders of South East Whitfield on “Senior Night” for the home teams. The home teams swept the Raiders with two blow out victories. The Lady Bobcats bested the Lady Raiders, 53-31, and the Bobcats bested the Raiders 81-55.The Gilmer Lady “Cats’” pressing paws forced a plethora of Lady Raiders turnovers throughout the game. Haley Garland had of two of her three first quarter steals in the first three minutes of the game. The home team’s relentless press held the visitors to seven first quarter points, and 12 total first half points. The Lady “Cats” held a four point, 16-12 halftime lead.

After a halftime performance from the GHS Winter Guard, the Lady “Cats” continued to rattle the Lady Raiders with a tremendous defensive effort. The Lady Raiders had two five second violations in the first minute of the second half.

Gilmer ran off 13 unanswered points over the first three minutes of the second half, before a SEW three made the score 31-15 with just over five minutes left in the third. Gilmer’s, Jenna Parks, hit back to back threes that increased the made the score 38-22, the score going into the fourth.

The fourth quarter saw the home team back off the press and cruise to a 53-31 victory.

The seniors were honored between games. Both teams graduate five seniors a piece. The Lady Bobcats graduate: Megan Fox; Haley Garland; Samantha Mashburn; Ansley Mulkey; and Savannah Summers. The Bobcats graduate Ben Cole; Ryan Lowery; Jordan Merideth; Nathan Voyles; and Austin White.

The Bobcats blasted the Raiders early and often. Gilmer built up a 25-17 first quarter lead, that was punctuated by Joe Bob Charles steal and lay up just before the end of the quarter.

A three pointer from Gilmer’s Sawyer Thompson followed by a steal and lay up from Connor Webber put the home team up 34-23 less than two minutes into the second quarter. The “Cats” cruised to a 40-27 half time lead.

The Bobcats led 59-46 after the third and cruised to an 81-55 victory, the highlights being two dunks by Lowery, one of which he was intentionally fouled on.