Belgreen Bulldogs, High School Sports, Sports, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Bart Moss Published 
9:45 am Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Belgreen girls win in overtime to return to regionals

When the post-season comes, the old saying is, “survive and advance.” The Belgreen Lady Bulldogs did just that Monday night to come from behind and beat the Mars Hill Panthers in overtime, 59-56. Belgreen advances to the Northwest Regionals for the third time in four years.

Belgreen trailed by 13 points during the third quarter but tightened the reins defensively and dominated the boards, not giving Mars Hill many second-chance scoring opportunities.

“We did a good job defensively in the second half with our full court press,” said Belgreen coach Chad Green. “We missed a lot of shots, especially free throws, early in the third quarter, but they finally started falling for us. We were able to substitute well offensively and defensively down the stretch; that helped us get back in the game and get the win. It was definitely a team effort defensively.”

Emma Dempsey led Belgreen with 19 points, going 11-for-23 from the free throw line. Katie Dempsey was seven-for-eight from the free-throw stripe and scored 11 points. Gracie Dempsey hit three-pointers in the third and fourth quarter and overtime for nine points. Ansley Tate went six-for-10 from the free-throw line and scored eight points. Autumn Bragwell hit two early three-pointers and scored eight points, and Gabbie Moore scored four points, including two big overtime free throws.

“I want to thank the good Lord for blessing us with good health and the opportunity to get this far,” added Green.

Belgreen will play Falkville in the Northwest Regionals at Wallace State Community College Thursday. Game times were not available at press time.

The sub-regional victory came after the girls topped Vina 88-51 but fell to the fourth-ranked Phillips Bears 83-38 in the area semifinals and finals, respectively.

 

Phillips 83, Belgreen 38

The ninth-ranked Belgreen Bulldogs struggled out of the gate against the fourth-ranked Phillips Bears in Class 1A, Area 12 finals, losing 83-38.  

Phillips dominated the game from the start, outscoring Belgreen 25-4 in the first quarter. The Bears led the Bulldogs 42-22 at halftime; extended that lead to 60-35 in the third quarter; and outscored the Bulldogs 23-3 in the fourth quarter.

Emma Dempsey led Belgreen with 11 points, seven of which came in the second quarter. Emma Willingham knocked down three three-pointers for nine points. Autumn Bragwell added seven points, Ansley Tate four points, Gracie Dempsey three points, Gabbie Moore two points and Katie Dempsey two points.

Belgreen 88, Vina 51

Emma and Katie Dempsey combined for 40 points to help the Belgreen Bulldogs easily dismantle the Vina Red Devils 88-51 in the Class 1A, Area 12 girls semifinals.

Belgreen jumped out to a 16-12 lead. Emma Dempsey scored 11 points in the second quarter, and Katie Dempsey went six-for-six from the free-throw line, scoring eight points to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 44-31 at halftime.  

Vina was 12-for-14 from the free-throw line in the second quarter.

Belgreen put the game away in the third quarter, outscoring Vina 23-4 to cruise to the win.

Emma Dempsey led Belgreen with 21 points, followed by Katie Dempsey with 19 points. Emma Willingham added 13 points. Megan Smith added nine points, Gracie Dempsey six points, Bragwell five points, Moore five points, Dalce Donagustin four points, Ansley Tate four points and Noelle Willingham two points.

Rayleigh Guin led Vina with 16 points, followed by Kaitlyn King with 11 points. Sara Scott added seven points, Emma Humphres six points, Sarah Johnson four points, LaDava Davis three points and Abbie Petree two points.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025