By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
When your opponent shoots 67 per cent you are usually going to get beat.
That's exactly what happened to Calhoun Friday night as visiting Gilmer shot 67 per cent from the field (22-33) en route to victory. But it was not easy for the Titans as Calhoun kept it close all the way.
Gilmer, now 5-1, was led by Cody James' 22 points. James. like many of his teammates, was red hot as he hit eight of nine shots from the field. He was backed by another red-hot shooter as Joel Roberts scored 13 points on six of seven shooting from the field. Titans' center William Radcliffe, despite playing with a knee brace for a torn ACL, was four-for-four for eight points.
Calhoun was led by Zach Moore with 19 points and 16 rebounds while Justin Gerwig added 17 points, 15 in the second half.
Kyle Keesler added eight for the 1-4 Red Devils while Chuck Kendall and Bronson Clark had two apiece. Anthony Richards, Tyler Bennett and Randy Fluharty all played but did not score.
The Red Devils scored the first basket and took the early lead only to have Gilmer grab a 14-11 first quarter advantage. The second quarter was even closer as the Titans enjoyed a one-point advantage (14-13) for a 28-24 halftime lead.
Gilmer's four-point advantage came on the strength on 14 first half points and the fact that Gerwig was in foul trouble and was limited to a single basket.
Calhoun started fast after intermission and grabbed the lead, pushing it out to four or five points on a couple of occasions only to have the eighth-ranked Class A Titans regain the momentum and take a 40-37 lead at the end of three quarters.
In the fourth quarter the Titans spread out the court and went with a very deliberate offense which forced the Red Devils to foul to stop the clock. Gilmer made its free throws hitting six of eight in the final period and all five of its field goal attempts. Once again James was the leader with eight while Radcliffe added four.
Gilmer also won the junior varsity game but it was one of the closest contests the Red Devils have played during their six-year losing streak.
The difference came in the fourth quarter when the Titans enjoyed a 12-9 advantage to break a 36-36 tie and claim a 48-45 victory.
Anthony Aviles scored five of his game high 17 points to lead the 2-4 Titans.
Calhoun was led by Caleb Schoolcraft's 12 points. Trent Phillips, Ricky Hall and Brandon Sampson all added seven points for the 0-3 Red Devils. Daniel Sims had five while Quentin "Q Dog" Murphy and Tyler Bennett added three each. Stuart Fitzwater had two while Luke Moore, Derek Dawson and Caleb Richards all played but did not score.
Phillips led the Red Devils with nine rebounds while Hall added five despite playing most of the game on an injured foot.
Gilmer County returns to action tonight (Saturday) at home against Midland Trail while Calhoun returns to action Tuesday night at home against South Harrison.
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