Can These Lady Cats Be Stopped?

The Gilmer High School Lady Cats basketball team is coming off a big week. The Lady Cats won three big games last week. Two region wins and one non region. The week started with the Lady Cats traveling to take on Northwest Whitfield. This hard fought game went into overtime. With one minute to play in regulation, the game was tied 31-31. The Lady Cats found themselves down 33-31 but with only two seconds left on the clock Bailey Charles hit a two to tie the game and send it into over time.

In overtime Emily Sanford would have the game winning shot; however the Lady Bruins did not go quietly. Gilmer was up 35-34 but turned the ball over with only 7.3 seconds left on the clock. The lady Cats, trying to defend against the winning shot, drew a foul sending the Lady Bruins to the line to shot two with only .03 second on the clock. The Lady Bruins’ player missed the first shot and as the fans nervously watched the last and possibly shot to tie, the shot went up and missed. After the buzzer signaled that the game was over, Gilmer had a one point victory, 35-34.

Northwest Whitfield was a region win. Bailey Charles lead Lady Cats scoring with 11 followed by Hanna Jones 9, Whitley Reece 4, Emily Sanford 4. Kaylee “TJ” Deyton had 10 rebounds.

Friday night the the Lady Cats took the long trip to take on the Heritage Lady Generals, another region game. The Lady General looked as though the team was going to run with the Lady Cats. Gilmer head coach, Kim Charles found, out if her Lady Cats could run up and down the court in a fast pace.

The Lady Cats led 18-17 at the end of the first period. The Lady Generals owned the second period and the Lady Cats was down 9, 38-29 to end the half.

No one knows what Coach Charles said during half time but it worked. The lady Cats came out quick, as if to say “we are not only going to win this thing, but you’re going to remember tomorrow we were here.” The Lady Cats not only made up the 9 Gilmer was down but ended the third period up 51-46. The Lady Cats would end the Lady Bruins night with a 72-56 Gilmer win.

The hot hands of the night were, Bailey Charles 21, Emily Sanford 12, Whitley Reece 11, Emily Reece 6. Eight different Lady Cats contributed to the scoreboard. The Lady Cats was close to perfect from the free-throw line, 12-13. Bailey Charles 7, Emily Sanford 4 and Hannah Jones 1.

After two road games the Lady Cats finally played at home Saturday afternoon. Although not a region game it’s always important to the people of Gilmer to beat Dalton.

As the game started it was apparent the Lady Cats’ players were exhausted. They were forcing shots and not getting the rebound. Gilmer ended the first period down 9-7 but that would be the last time Gilmer was down in the game. Although Dalton never regained the lead the Catamounts stayed close enough, causing the Lady Cats to have to work for the win. Gilmer won 49-36.

The Lady Cats didn’t do so well from the charity strip like the night before. Gilmer missed 11 free throws. Hot hands of the night: Bailey Charles 18, Hannah Jones 16, Emily Sanford 7 and Whitley Reece 5.

Lady Cats Coach Charles told FYN she was very proud of all the girls. She told us she was concerned and knew the girls were tired but they worked hard and pulled it out.

Gilmer has a deep bench and the bench players are coming in the games and making a contributions. All of the bench is doing great job and I don’t want to leave anyone out but I do want to highlight a couple. When Whitley Reece and Emily Reece come into the game they mean business and a team should not think of these Ladies as second string.

It’s a week like this that shows a coach if they can play on the road, winning while exhausted and having a deep bench make a difference in team morale. Who has the grit, will our team stay focused when down, is my team determined, will my team never give up?

Well coach Charles now has the answers to those questions, because these Lady Cats are for real and will scratch out a win no matter how tired the players are.

Lady Cats are home Tuesday night against Southeast Whitfield and will travel to take on Pickens Friday night.