Lady Cats Take Late Loss To Northwest

Team FYN Sports

In a game moved to Thursday due to the threat of inclement weather, the Lady Cats traveled to Northwest Whitfield to face the Lady Bruins.  Northwest, sitting atop the region would prove to be a battle too strong for Gilmer in the end.

The Lady Cats came in just one game behind in the region standings and a win would put them in a virtual tie for first.  The challenge began with the opening tip-off for Gilmer and as the first period played out both teams proved they were there to fight for a win.  As seen throughout the year, MaryLee Callihan came out of the locker room and put up good numbers in the opening frame with seven points to lead the Lady Cats.  Gilmer scored thirteen and headed into the second tied with the Lady Bruins.  Our home town Lady Cats added thirteen in the period while their opponents put up eight giving Gilmer a five-point margin as they entered the halftime intermission.  Several players for the Lady Cats added their name to the list of point-getters with Elly Callihan scoring four, Hope Colwell with three, Emma Deyton with four, and Bailey Teague adding two for the 26-21 lead.

The last half of play saw excitement and had fans on their feet in the third and the edge of their seats in the fourth.  The start of the third brought a contrast in points as the Gilmer Lady Cats opened up a twelve-point lead over the Lady Bruins while defensively shutting down the scoring from their opponents.  Six Lady Cats put the ball through the hoop in the third for a total of fourteen points.  Bailey Teague, Mallory Kiser, Emma Callihan, Emma Deyton, MaryLee Callihan, and Hope Colwell kept Northwest on their heels and outscored the Lady Bruins 14-7 and carried a 40-28 edge into the final period of play.  In a reversal of sorts, the Lady Bruins, with the help of foul calls, took control of the game in the fourth. Northwest’s Jada Griffin not only almost single handily brought her team back in the final period, but she also scored 31 of the Lady Bruins 51 total points for the game.  Being outscored 23-8, the Lady Cats saw a good lead and a well-played game slip away late.  The 51-48 loss to the number one team in region 6AAAA puts the Lady Cats as the #3 seed heading into the postseason tournament behind Heritage.  The Lady Generals went 1-1 with Northwest while Gilmer was 0-2 during the regular season.

The Gilmer Lady Cats play at Southeast Whitfield in round one on Monday at 6:00 against the Lady Raiders.  A win will guarantee at least a 4th place and a trip to the GHSA State Basketball Playoffs.

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