The Gilmer High School Lady Bobcats basketball team spent the better part of last week in Murray County participating in the Mistletoe Madness tournament. The Lady “”Cats” finished with a 1-2 record over the duration of the tournament. Wednesday night Gilmer lost to Sonoraville 54-37, then rebounded on Friday Night, destroying Christian Heritage 70-27. Saturday saw Gilmer face Dalton for the second time in as many weeks, but the Lady Catamounts was able to get the best of Gilmer’s “Cats” this time around. The game against Sonoraville was a frustrating one for Gilmer fans as the Lady “Cats” could not overcome the presence of one star player on the Sonoraville squad. She made shots inside, got fouled a ton, and swatted anything that came near her.

The first quarter saw her score 12 of the team’s 18 points. Gilmer tried to stop her and really did everything possible to do so. Bailey Charles and Hannah Jones scored three points each, but after the first quarter Gilmer trailed 18-6.

The Lady “Cats” came out on fire to start the second quarter. Jones and Charles took charge, scoring on drives and making their free throws. The score was 20-14 in favor of Sonoraville when Gilmer forced a timeout. It was back and forth from that point, with Charles scoring four more before halftime. The score at the half was 26-18, Sonoraville.

Charles and Jones had it going again early on in the third quarter. A Charles drive and kick set up a 3-pointer by Jones. After hitting the 3-pointer, she drove and got fouled while making the basket. This led to another three point play. Moments later, Charles again found Jones open for three, and the Lady “Cats” had pulled within three points, 30-27.

The tall girl started causing problems again, and the Lady Phoenix pulled away to a 40-29 lead when the quarter was over.

Just when the Lady “Cats” started to make another comeback, the officials interfered. On a drive by Charles, one could hear the sound of an arm being smacked all the way in the stands but there was no call at all and the ball was turned over to the Lady Phoenix. When it was all said and done, Sonoraville had jumped out to a 54-37 lead.

Jones led the team with 17 points and Charles had 12. The tall girl that gave Gilmer problems finished with 34.

Day two was better for Gilmer as the Lady “Cats” clobbered Christian Heritage 70-27. This set up the rematch with Dalton on Saturday, a game that Gilmer lost by only seven points.

The Lady “Cats’” next game is January 3 at Cedartown.