“Cats” Closed Out by Columbia

The Gilmer High School Bobcats basketball team traveled to Decatur to take on the Columbia Eagles, the three time defending state champions in a first round matchup of the state playoffs. Despite an early lead and three three’s from Wheeler Lancey the “Cats” got scratched from the playoffs 60-36.After each team traded two baskets, the Bobcats completed a 6-0 run for a 10-4 lead with 1:39 left in the first quarter. Gilmer led 10-7 heading into the second quarter.

A game tying three by Columbia opened the second quarter scoring. The three sparked an 11-2 run by the Eagles that saw Columbia leading 18-12, with 4:22 left in the first half.

A Lancey three, off a Joe Bob Charles assist, sparked a 10-4 run by Gilmer that tied the game. Columbia closed the half with a 5-0 run that gave the Eagles a 27-22 half time lead.

Gilmer opened the third quarter with a 6-2 run that cut the lead to one, 29-28, with 5:47 left in the third; however the “Cats” got clipped from that point on, as Columbia held Gilmer to seven points from that point on. Conversely the Eagles scored 31 more points.

The Eagles led 46-31 going into the fourth and won 60-36. Lancey led the “Cats” with 11 points, senior, Connor Webber, finished with nine, and Charles finished with eight.