Smith ties state basketball record

The Belgreen girl’s varsity basketball team has hit two different tournaments over the past week or so.

The first stop, The Jimmy Payne Christmas Tournament, saw the Belgreen girls leave with the first place trophy.

The Lady Bulldogs then made the championship game in the Lions Club Tournament in Fayette.

The team lost to the Carbon Hill Lady Bulldogs 58-55 when a three at the buzzer by senior Erica Smith missed — and a possible foul call was not made.

The Belgreen girls may have made second in this tournament, but Smith came out in first place. That is, tied for first place for the most 3-pointers made by a player in a single game in state girl’s basketball.

She is the fourth player to take a share in this record, with the last girl to do so being Jordan Dollar of Russellville, who tied the mark in the ‘06-’07 season against Colbert County.

If Smith would have it the 3-point shot at the buzzer, the record would be hers alone.

“It would have been a little bit sweeter if we’d won, but that was one of the most exciting games I’ve ever coached,” Belgreen head coach Ritchie Hester said. “I was very proud of the girls. They didn’t quit and they didn’t give up.

Smith had 47 total points in the game against Carbon Hill and 104 total points over three games. She was named Most Valuable Player for the tournament as well.

“I had probably 15 people come up to me and say that was the best girl’s basketball game they had ever seen,” Hester said.