It was another successful week for the Gilmer High School Bobcats basketball team as the guys stayed unbeaten on the year. Tuesday evening saw the Bobcats face the Chestatee War Eagles. The Bobcats clipped the War Eagles’ wings with ease and walked away with the win, 82-60. Friday night, Gilmer faced their toughest competition of the year in the Dalton Catamounts. In a thriller, the “Cats” overcame a nine point deficit to win the game 82-73.In the game against Chestatee, Gilmer jumped out to an early 22-16 lead after the first quarter. Joe Bob Charles erupted for 16 points in the opening period, while Wheeler Lancey and Corey Waters added another six points.

The second quarter was more of the same, with the “Cats” extending the lead behind 11 more points from Charles and seven more from Lancey, Waters, and Bailey Allen. At the half, Gilmer held a 40-25 lead.

Allen caught fire in the third quarter hitting all four of his attempted shots. Taner Reece and Chandler Burrell contributed along with Charles and Lancey as the Bobcats put up 24 points in the quarter. With just one quarter left to play, Gilmer held a commanding 64-46 lead.

The fourth quarter saw the Bobcats pull away even more. Hayden Hoequest got on the board with a free throw, and the rest of the team put up 17 additional points to win the game 82-60.

Charles led GHS with 37 points, Lancey followed with 15, Waters with 13, and Allen with 10.

Friday’s game was completely different. The Catamounts was also unbeaten going into the matchup, and Dalton was the toughest opponent Gilmer has seen all year.

For the first time in recent memory, the opponent controlled the tip and started the game with the ball. After the Catamounts scored first, Waters grabbed an offensive rebound and scored. Charles had a highlight drive in which he crossed up his defender and finished with a finger roll.

After going up on Dalton 6-2, the Catamounts hit a three pointer to make it close. Lancey answered with a three of his own on a pass from Reece. Gilmer jumped out to an 11-7 lead before Dalton put on a three point shooting spree. Charles knocked down a very long three to end the quarter, but the “Cats” trailed 21-18.

Waters opened the second quarter with an impressive drive through traffic. Lancey then knocked down a three that gave the lead back to the Bobcats. Another long ball from Lancey and an insane drive by Charles gave Gilmer a 28-23 lead.

Dalton came storming back though, and went on a 15-4 run including a monster slam which ignited the Catamounts’ crowd. Gilmer was able to cut back into the lead, but still trailed, 41-37, at the half.

The third quarter is where Gilmer made its mark. After falling behind 46-37 to start the quarter, things picked up for the “Cats.” Hayden Hoequest hit a big three pointer just seconds after checking in.

Charles put up 12 points in the quarter and didn’t miss a shot. Lancey and Waters added another 12 points between them and Gilmer was leading 64-61 with just a quarter left to play.

Waters continued his stellar play to start the fourth quarter with a drive that drew a foul. Charles and Lancey both followed suit with drives of their own. This continued to be the game plan for the “Cats” during the fourth quarter, as every basket came from penetrating the defense.

If the ball didn’t go in, there was usually a foul which worked well for Gilmer who missed only two free throws on the night.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Bobcat players were all smiles as they celebrated their biggest win of the year. Charles led the team with 34 points, Waters followed with 19, and Lancey finished with 18.

The 10-0 Bobcats will kick off the Mistletoe Madness tournament against the Calhoun Yellow Jackets, which is also undefeated, on Wednesday night at North Murray High School.