Lady “Cats” Frustrate Fannin 61-48: Mangle Murray 52-46

The Gilmer High School Lady Bobcats basketball team took to the court twice over the past weekend and came away with two victories, 61-48 over Fannin, and 52-46 over Murray.Having already lost to the Lady Rebels of Fannin County High School earlier in the year, the Lady “Cats” looked to get revenge on Friday night. It was close for a few minutes until Gilmer took control and walked away with the win.

Saturday wasn’t as easy, as the Lady Indians from Murray County did its best to knock off the Lady “Cats.” A well-played fourth quarter propelled Gilmer ahead for the win.

Fannin controlled the tip off and scored quickly to take the early lead. The basket was quickly answered by Britton Farlow when she was fouled and converted both of her free throws.

Fannin had gone up 5-2 when Farlow answered again, this time with a three-pointer. That shot was the start of a 17-2 run by the Lady “Cats” that catapulted Gilmer into a lead that was never relinquished.

Farlow and Bailey Charles did the bulk of the scoring in the second quarter for the Lady “Cats.” Hannah Jones and Jenna Parks chipped in points as well.

Kaylee “TJ” Deyton displayed tremendous hustle when she got after a loose ball that led to points for Gilmer. At halftime, the Lady “Cats” led the rival Rebels 37-22.

Farlow and Charles stayed hot in the third, and Megan Allen got on the board with a nice jumper. Fannin tried to inch closer, but found it increasingly difficult thanks to Gilmer’s stingy defense.

Allen added another point on a free throw, and Jones did the same to close out the quarter for the Lady “Cats”. With just one quarter to go, Gilmer led 52-36.

Charles started the quarter out with a floater that turned out to be the only non-free throw score of the quarter for Gilmer. Allen drew a foul and made one of her two free throws which started a chain of them.

Charles, Jones, and Sarah Lambert all added free throws and Gilmer was able to keep the big scorers for Fannin out of the paint where they’re comfortable. The Lady “Cats” played keep away to end the game, and won with ease 61-48.

Facing Murray County was a much more monstrous task for the Lady “Cats”. It was a game full of lead changes. The first quarter showcased what looked to be a possible blowout victory for the away team, as Gilmer pulled out to a 13-5 lead that appeared to come with ease.

Parks was able to get wide open down low for two points, Lambert knocked down a three, and Jade Green grabbed an offensive rebound that led to another Lambert three-pointer. But, the Lady Indians rattled off eight straight points of its own to tie the game at 13 heading into the second quarter.

An 8-1 Lady Indians run led to a Lady Bobcats time out. Charles and “TJ” Deyton made baskets to shrink the deficit, and Jones hit a buzzer-beating three to bring the game back within two points. At halftime, the score was 26-24 in favor of Murray.

Charles found her way into the lane for two points to start the second half, tying the game. Parks knocked down a pair of free throws and a Lambert steal led to two more points for the Lady “Cats.”

Gilmer sped up their defense and started pressuring the ball handler. This led to a backcourt violation and a timeout by the Lady Indians. The game went back and forth, but six straight points from the Lady “Cats” gave Gilmer a 36-35 lead with one quarter remaining.

Megan Allen opened the scoring for the Lady “Cats” when she made a long two point jumper courtesy of a steal. Jones drove to the basket for two points and Charles made a runner to give Gilmer a four point lead.

Emily Sanford entered the game for the first time and provided some spark for the Lady “Cats.” Her two point basket on a fast break extended the lead to six points. It was at this point that the game started to wind down and Murray had to resort to fouling. The final for Gilmer was a 52-46 victory.

The Lady “Cats” will travel to Chestatee Tuesday December 10th, and Dalton on Friday December 13th.