Belgreen girls hold on

By Staff
Mike Self FCT Sports Editor
RED BAY - Kellie Oliver made three second-half three-pointers and Amy Smith scored four crucial points in the final minute as Belgreen held off a late Tharptown rally to defeat the Lady Wildcats 37-33 on Monday in junior girls semifinal action at the Franklin County Tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs advanced to face Red Bay in Tuesday night's championship game.
Belgreen led Monday's game 33-27 after Oliver's third trey of the second half with 3:15 remaining, but Tharptown wouldn't go quietly.
The Lady Wildcats pulled to within two points twice down the stretch, but Smith answered each time.
After Tharptown cut the lead to 33-31 on a three-point play by Holly Hines with 2:29 remaining, Smith responded with a layup to push the lead back to four.
Meagen Tveberg's jumper with 25 seconds left brought Tharptown within two again, but Smith made two clutch free throws with 16 seconds left to make it 37-33.
Monica Smith then sealed the win with a steal.
Oliver led Belgreen with 11 points, and Amy Smith added 10. Monica Smith finished with six, and Candace Allen had five.
Hines led all scorers with 16 points for Tharptown. Laken Barnett added seven, and Jessica Myrick and Keri Metcalf each had four.
Hines banked in a three at the buzzer to give Tharptown an 18-16 halftime lead.
Oliver nailed two treys as Belgreen opened the second half on a 10-0 run.
In previous junior girls action at the Franklin County Tournament:
Red Bay 46 East Franklin 27
Chelsea McWilliams scored 18 points as Red Bay advanced to the finals with Saturday's win.
Chasity Morgan led East Franklin with 14 points.
Tharptown 28 Vina 11
Laken Barnett and Keri Metcalf each had eight points to lead Tharptown on Saturday.
Heather Holland led Vina with eight points.