JUNIOR HIGH TOURNEY, B-JUNIOR GIRLS: Belgreen holds off Red Bay to win championship
The Belgreen Bulldogs bested the Red Bay Tigers 20-16 in what most would agree was the most competitive and exciting game of the Franklin County Junior High Tournament held at Phil Campbell High School Saturday.
Trailing 14-6 midway through the fourth quarter, Red Bay went on a 10-0 run to take the lead from Belgreen.
Red Bay’s Nylah Allison hit a three-pointer with 4:15 to go in the game to cut Belgreen’s lead to 14-9. Kyla Blackburn followed with a midrange jumper to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 14-11 with 3:48 remaining.
The Tigers cut the lead to two on a free throw and tied the game when Julianna Eaton rebounded a missed three-pointer and put the ball in the basket.
The Tigers took the lead with 1:36 to go in the game on a pair of free throws by Allison – and seemingly had all the momentum.
Belgreen’s Lilliana Willingham was fouled with 1:18 to go in the game and calmly nailed both free throws to tied the game 16-16. The Bulldogs made two straight layups down the stretch by Madison McKee and Laura Seal to put the game on ice and win the championship.
“The girls played great,” said Belgreen Coach Chad Green. “They have improved all year long. I’m really proud of them.”
Seal led Belgreen with six points. She was followed by Willingham with four points, Andrea West with four points, Makinley Vandiver with three points and McKee with two points.
Allison led Red Bay with six points, all coming in the fourth quarter. She was followed by Blackburn with five points, Eaton with three points and DaRilee Colburn with two points.
Red Bay 29, Phil Campbell 2
Colburn scored 12 points to lead Red Bay to a 29-2 win over Phil Campbell and advance to the finals of the B-Junior Girls division of the tourney.
Red Bay led Phil Campbell 12-2 at halftime.
Natalie Pope scored the Bobcats’ lone points.
Belgreen 33, Vina 16
Laura Seal scored 12 points to lead the Belgreen Bulldogs to a 33-16 win over the Vina Red Devils. Belgreen led Vina 15-5 at halftime. Kenzie Elrod led the Red Devils with six points.
