Night two of theTip-off Classic had the Rebels and Lady Rebels come into the Cage for some fierce tournament action.  Though it’s not officially labeled a big rivalry matchup, the intensity level when these teams take the court is almost beyond belief. There is something in the hearts and minds of both teams that carry their play to the next level.

With smoke starting to roll the locker room doors open and the Lady Cats take the floor to the roar of the Lady Cat faithful. The intensity of these ladies started from the opening tip-off with both the Rebels and Lady Cats hustling up and down the court.  The game stayed close through the first half with the Lady Rebels held a narrow three-point lead at the half.  The Lady Cats came out for the third period with a different attitude on the defensive side of the ball.  Outscoring Fannin in the third and fourth periods the Lady Cats stretched the lead late and held it to a 52-45 for their second win and remain undefeated in tournament play.  Emma Deyton led the scoring for Gilmer with 11 points followed closely by MaryLee Callihan and Mallory Kiser both with 10 points in the win.

The varsity boys also faced the Rebels of Fannin in their second tournament game on Monday.  The Gilmer boys were coming off an exciting victory on Saturday over the Hiawassee Dam Eagles and looking to step things up against a good Rebels basketball team.  The first half of play started slowly for both teams with neither team’s shots finding the net.  The comparison of shots taken to shots made was very low.  When the horn sounded to enter halftime the Rebels held a 14-10 lead over the Bobcats.  Entering the third period the shot percentage increased for both teams with Gilmer’s Tripp Pierce leading the way. Pierce owned the period putting up 13 including three 3 pointers. Trailing by 4 points heading into the final period the Rebels never laid down and fought hard outscoring the Bobcats 11 to 9.  In the end, the Rebels efforts fell short giving the Gilmer Bobcats the victory by a score of 42-40.  Pierce led all scoring in the game with 20 points followed Bradon Jenkins with 8.

Both the Cats and Lady Cats will return to action on Tuesday as the Pickens teams come to the Cage for the final games of the 2018 Tip-off Classic.  The Gilmer teams could sweep the tournament and be crowned Champions with victories on Tuesday.