By Staff
Scot Beard
FAYETTE – The Belgreen varsity girls basketball team's bid to repeat as the Fayette Lions Club Basketball Tournament champions came to an end in the championship game as Hackleburg was able to pull away for a 54-50 victory.
The Lady Bulldogs trailed 32-20 at halftime, but rallied to tie the game 36-36 at the end of the third quarter.
Hackleburg was able to build a 10-point lead in the final quarter, but Belgreen fought back and cut the deficit to 52-50 when Anna DeVaney scored and hit a free throw with 20 seconds remaining.
Hackleburg added another basket and the Lady Bulldogs seemed confused in the closing seconds as they were unable to get off a quality shot.
"[Our] main thing was score, score, score," said Belgreen coach Shauna Humphries. "They were trying to get shots up and couldn't make any plays."
Amber Smith led Belgreen with 15 points while DeVaney added 11.
Also scoring for the Lady Bulldogs were Deborah Billingham (7), Loren McVicker (7), Katelin Barber (5) and Martha Billingham (4).
Deborah Billingham and Smith earned All-Tournament team honors for Belgreen.
The Lady Bulldogs reached the finals by defeating Gordo 52-39.
Belgreen led 21-17 at halftime and pulled away in the third quarter by outscoring Gordo 14-8.
Martha Billingham led the way with 16 points while Smith added 10.
Also scoring for Belgreen were McVicker (7), Deborah Billingham (5), DeVaney (4), Barber (2), Katy Britton (2), Lydia DeVaney (2), Elizabeth Landers (2), Brittany Simmons (1) and Kayla Williams (1).