Tuesday night has come and gone with the Gilmer basketball teams breathing a little easier.  The Nettes and the Dragons of Pickens High School came in as not only a big rival but also as teams trying to slow down the region run that Gilmer is currently on.

The ladies of Pickens generally give the Lady Cats all they can handle on the court but not this time.  The Gilmer Girls started early in the first and never looked back as MaryLee Callihan and Emma Callihan took control of the offense.  The Lady Cats held a 12-11 lead as the buzzer sounded at the end of one.  The Callihan sisters scored 8 of 12 with each having 4 points.  Gilmer continued as the second period began.  MaryLee Callihan(Senior) added 4 more as well as Mallory Kiser who matched her with 4 of her own.  The Gilmer defense was unwavering as they allowed the opponent 5 points and stretch the lead to 24-16 as the halftime intermission began. To really drive home how well the Lady Cats defense played, Torie Williams was held to just 3 points in the first half while the leading scorer for Pickens, MacKenzie Weaver scored seven.

As the second half got underway, the Gilmer Lady Cats continued the domination with a 20 point third period and put a lid on the basket for Pickens. MaryLee Callihan stayed persistent in attacking the paint to put up 8 points more. The third of the Callihan sisters added her name to those adding points on the board. Elly Callihan with 4 in the period as well as Beth Burnette(2), Emma Deyton(3), and Bailey Teague(3) contributed to 46-24 advantage for the home team Lady Cats heading into the final period of the game.  Gilmer started the fourth with a 22 point advantage but didn’t let up.  Eight Lady Cats contributed to victory with last period baskets as Jaylin Ledford stepped with 8 points to lead Gilmer in the last period.  As the clock expired, MaryLee Callihan led all scoring with a big 18 point night.  The 65-31 region win over the Nettes was huge as it kept them in 2nd place with just 2 region games remaining before the post-season tournament begins.

In the nightcap, the Bobcats came out of the locker room to face a much-improved Dragons team.  The early season for Pickens had not been good with the absence of key players out with injuries but as of late, their return has the Dragons playing well.  Gilmer having a great year thus far knew no matter the record that the Dragons would propose a challenge in the game.

With the opening tip-off, both teams brought their hustle to the floor.  Through the opening period the game the score remained close with ending score of 13-11 in favor of the Cats.  Coady Cobb led the scoring in the first followed by Tripp Pierce and Braden Jenkins with 4 points each.  Senior Kell Weaver started to show his presence as the next period began.  Weaver had 7 points but really started his defensive show on the boards.  With multiple rebounds, Weaver set a school record on his first of the night. Senior Carter Hice also had 7 in the period.  Gilmer carried a 34-23 lead heading into the intermission.  The Athletic Department of Gilmer High School used the halftime to recognize the Bobcats wrestlers for finishing as the runner-up in the GHSA State wrestling duals last weekend held in Macon Georgia.

Pickens and Gilmer started the third period pretty much as the started the game with each team finding it slow going to put points on the board.  The Bobcats outscored their opponent by one and carry a 46-34 lead as the period came to a close.  Weaver(6) led in points for the Cats with Zach Goss(4) for the Dragons in the third.  The final period brought fans from both sets of bleachers to their feet as the Dragons found new energy late.  The last period comeback from Pickens made for a very interesting and exciting finish.  The Dragons outscored the Bobcats 18 to 7 but could not get the victory in the end.  The Cats held off 3 attempts by the Dragons to hit the winning shot.  As the buzzer rang throughout the gym, the Gilmer student section filled the floor to congratulate the Cats on a tremendous yet heart-wrenching 53-52 victory over their rival just south on Hwy 515.