The Gilmer High School Basketball Teams honored their seniors for the Bobcats and Lady Cats on Tuesday, February 2. #TeamFYNSports collected these biographies of the players as they were presented at the ceremony.
The First Senior honored was #3 Chandler Cantrell. Chandler was escorted by his parents Jody and Ginger Cantrell. Chandler has played basketball for a total of 12 years. This is his 4th year playing for Gilmer High School as #3. Chandler is a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and is planning to participate for the GHS Tennis Team. After Graduation, Chandler plans to attend the University of North Georgia and major in Criminal Justice. Chandler’s parents have been the most influential people in his life, inspiring him to be the best that he can be, no matter what might occur in life.
Next is #4 Isaac Hensley. Isaac was escorted by his parents David and Lisa Hensley. Isaac has been a member of the GHS basketball team for four years wearing #4. He is also an active member in FCA, BETA, United Community Bank Board of Directors, East Ellijay Baptist Church, and Elevate Youth Group. Isaac plans to attend college to major in civil engineering. Isaac’s parents have been the most influential people in his life because they taught him to work hard, be the best, and always trust in God in every situation.
The next senior was #14 JT Bosley. JT was escorted by his parents James and Donna Bosley. JT has played basketball for a total of seven years and has been a member of the GHS basketball program for four years as #14. He has also been an active member for the GHS golf team. JT plans to attend Dalton College for two years before transferring to a bigger college after he decides what his major will be. JT’s parents have been the most influential people in his life because they have inspired and encouraged him to always work hard.
The fourth senior was #22 Samuel McArthur. Samuel was escorted by his parents David and Christ McArthur. Samuel has been a member of the GHS basketball team where he was #33 on the JV team before transitioning to #22 on Varisty. Samuel is also an active member in Work Base Learning, East Ellijay Baptist Church, Elevate, and Warriors for Christ Youth Group. After high school, Samuel plans to attend college and get a degree in education to become a teacher and coach here in Gilmer County. Samuel’s parents have influenced his life most by teaching him that no matter how bad things can get, no matter what it is, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. They are two of the strongest people he knows.
Next, we had #23 Jake Ray. Jake was escorted by his parents Tim and Suzanne Ray. Jake has played basketball for nine years wearing #23. He is also an active member in FCA, Work Base Learning, FEA, and Impact Youth. Jake plans to attend Dalton State College or Toccoa Falls after graduating from high school to major in Early Childhood Education and Coach Basketball. Jake’s Dad has been the most influential in his life because he has always been there for him in good times or bad, and is always right, no matter if he agrees with him or not.
The final senior boy was #32 Cole Edmondson. Cole was escorted by his parents Charlie and Carolyn Edmondson. Cole has been playing basketball for twelve years as #32. He is also an active member in FBLA, United Community Bank Junior Board, and participated in one year of track and field. After high school graduation, Cole plans to attend the University of North Georgia and major in Finance. Cole’s parents have been the most influential in his life inspiring him to work hard in everything he does and always be the best person he can be.
With the Lady Cats, five seniors were honored.
The first senior Lady Cat was #32 Kaylee Deyton. Kaylee was escorted by her parents Karen and Stacey Deyton along with her sister Emma. Kaylee has been a member of the Varsity Lady Cat basketball team for four years as #32. While at Gilmer High School, Kaylee has participated in FCA, FEA, FBLA, and BETA. In addition to basketball, Kaylee has been a member of the Gilmer Lady Cat Softball Team for four years as #19. Kayle has been a member of the Gilmer Lady Cat Softball Team that went to the Sweet Sixteen making back to back appearances in the state playoffs and was named to the second team All Region Team as a catcher. Kaylee was a member of the Gilmer Lady Cat Basketball Team that won the Region Championship last year, and has made State Playoff appearances for the past two years. Kaylee currently participates in the Work Based Learning Program and is employed at Mountain View Elementary as a teacher assistant. According to Kaylee, the people who have inspired her most are her Mom and Kim Charles. They both are always pushing her to do her best, whether it be in school, on the field, on the court, or just in life in general. These ladies have encouraged Kaylee to always keep herhead up, make smart decisions, and to always do her best, even though when they tell this or to stop doing stupid things, it is not always in the nicest tone, but it works. They definitely have inspired and motivated Kaylee to be the wonderful young lady she is today. After graduation, Kaylee plans to go into the Air Force and get an education while serving her country, and, hopefully, retire from the Military. After retirement, she plans to return to Ellijay and spend the rest of her life here.
The second Lady Cat is #42 Haley Higingbotham. Haley was escorted by her parents Mike and Cindy Higingbotham. She has played basketball for 11 years. She has been a member of the Varsity Lady Cat Basketball Team for four years as #42. While at Gilmer High School, Haley has participated in Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, the Literature Team, and is Captain of the Academic Team. Haley was a member of the Gilmer Lady Cat Basketball Team that won the 2014-2015 Region Championship and has made State Playoff appearances for the past two years. According to Haley, the person who has inspired her most is her Mom. No matter what life throws at her Mom, she always perseveres. After graduation, Haley, being accepted to the University of Georgia through early admission, will attend UGA, and study towards a degree in Pharmacy.
The next Lady Cat was #2 Hannah Jones. Hannah was escorted by her parents Jeff and Jennifer Jones. Hannah has played basketball for 12 years. She has been a member of the Varsity Lady Cat Basketball Team for four years as #2. While at Gilmer High School, Hannah has been a member of FCA and FBLA. She was a member of the Gilmer Lady Cat Basketball Team that won the 2014-2015 Region Championship and has made state playoff appearances the past two years. Hannah was selected to the 2015-2015 Gilmer High School Prom Court and 2015-2016 Homecoming Court, being named as the first runner up in both events. Hannah is currently dual enrolled at Dalton State College. As of recent news, Hannah Jones has been named the 2015-2016 Region 7AAAA Basketball Co-Player of the Year. According to Hannah the people who have inspired her the most is her Mom and Dad. The have both inspired her to push herself to be not only the best player that she can be but also the best person she can be. She is thankful to them for always being her biggest fans. After graduation, Hannah plans to attend the University of North Georgia and become a Pediatric Nurse.
The fourth Lady Cat was #44 Emily Rachel Reece. Emily was escorted by her parents John and Rachel Reece and her siblings, Taner and Josie. She has played basketball for 12 years. Emily has been a member of the Varsity Lady Cat Basketball Team for four years as #44. While at Gilmer High School, Emily has been a member of FCA, FEA, FBLA, and Beta. In addition to basketball, Emily has been a member of the Varsity Volleyball Team for four years and Varsity Tennis for two years. She did receive All Region Team recognition in Volleyball. Emily was a member of the Gilmer Lady Cat Basketball Teams that won the 2014-2015 Region Championship and made state playoff appearances for the past two years. Emily is currently dual enrolled at Dalton State College. She is a member of the Liberty Baptist Youth Group and Church. Emily would like to say that the people who have inspired her most are her family. She would not be where she is today without them. She would like to thank her grandparents, Mom, Dad, Brother, and Sister for always putting up with her. She says she loves them all and wouldn’t trade them for the world. Emily plans to attend college to become an OBGYN, then eventually move back to Ellijay and open a practice. She hopes to be happily married and have her own family one day, and, if all else fails, she hopes to marry a very rich man.
The final Lady Cat was #25 Emily Sanford. She was escorted by her parents Dewell and Susan Sanford and her niece, Maggy. She has played basketball for 12 years. Emily has been a member of the Varsity Lady Cat Basketball Team for four years as #25. While at Gilmer High School, Emily has been a member of FCA, FBLA, and Beta. In addition to basketball, she has been a member of the Varsity Volleyball Team for four years and Varsity Tennis for two years. Emil did receive All Region Team recognition in volleyball. Emily was a member of the Gilmer Lady Cat Basketball Team that won the 2014-2015 Region Championship and has made State Playoff appearances for the past two years. Emily was selected to the 2014-2015 Gilmer High School Prom Court and 2015-2016 Homecoming Court. She currently participates in Work Based Learning where she is employed at Ellijay Primary School as a teacher assistant. As of recent news, Emily has been named to the 2015-2016 All Region Basketball Team for Region 7AAAA. Emily would like to say that the people who have inspired her the most are her family and friends. They have always been there for her and have supported her through everything in life. She wishes to say thank you so much. After graduation, Emily plans to attend college and major in Early Childhood Education and become the person God wants her to be.
#TeamFYNSports would like to congratulate all the Seniors for their hard work and dedication. It has been tough at times, and will be tough to come, but the strength you have learned now will carry you through your life.
