By Staff
Belgreen sweeps Vina
Kim West
Franklin County Times
BELGREEN – Kyle Warren scored a game-high 23 points as four Belgreen players finished in double figures and nine scored in the Bulldogs' 84-61 homecoming win over Vina Friday night.
Belgreen has struggled this season with its consistency and falling behind early, but Warren, who also had four steals, turned in one of his top performances this season.
"It was a welcomed performance and a long time coming. Kyle has had an up-and-down year, but he did a good job offensively tonight, and his defense has always been solid," Belgreen coach Wes Hester said. "Maybe tonight was a turning point, especially since the important games are coming up in the county and area tournments. We'll need everyone to play well, especially Kyle, because he's our point guard and provides a spark for us and gets everything going."
Belgreen jumped out to an 11-4 lead but Vina responded with an 8-2 run and cut the deficit to one point when Blake Thorn sank two free throws early in the second quarter.
But the Bulldogs bit back with a 23-10 run as Vina was held without a field goal for nearly four minutes and Brent Newell and Warren combined for 14 of Belgreen's 22 points in the second period.
After trailing by as many as 17 points, Vina's Morgan McCarley made a steal and layup and drained two free throws, and Cass White hit a running jumper to pull the Red Devils within eight points with 2:59 remaining in the third.
But Belgreen answered with an 8-1 run that included a spinning tournaround jumper by Newell and 6-of-8 shooting from the free throw line by the Bulldogs.
Belgreen (6-10, 2-5 Class 1A, Area 16) led by 15 to open the final period and broke loose for one of its highest scoring quarters this season with 29 points, including 13 from Warren.
Spencer Hargett finished with 17 points, while Shane Fretwell had 13 and Newell added 12. Taylor Hester chipped in eight, and Jesse Edwards (5), Jared Richardson (3), Sam Presley (2) and Derrick Simmons (2) also scored for Belgreen.
Morgan McCarley had aa team-high 16 points, while Brent Townsend had 12 and Cass White added eight. Blake Thorn and B.J. Beard each totaled seven points, and Randy Barnes scored six. Curby Swinney finished with four points, while Patrick White added two.
The Bulldogs will play Vina again at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the opening round of the Franklin C ounty Tournament at the Patriot Center on the Phil Campbell campus of Northwest-Shoals.
Belgreen 57
Vina 37
The Belgreen varsity girls celebrated a homecoming win Friday night as the Lady Bulldogs defeated Vina 57-37.
Martha Billingham scored all nine of her points in the opening quarter and Keri Metcalf came up with five points and two steals as Belgreen opened the game with a 16-3 spurt.
Vina's Heather Holland scored eight of her game-high 15 points in the second quarter, but the Lady Bulldogs opened the quarter with an 11-0 run and led by as many 24 points.
Belgreen led 42-19 at halftime, and 10 different players scored as the Lady Bulldogs held a 50-26 advantage after three quarters.
Vina's Devyn Childers connected on a 3-pointer and made a steal and layup, but Belgreen reacted with two quick jumpers to lead 50-26 leading into the final period.
Loren McVicker scored five of her 11 points in the fourth quarter to help Belgreen put the game out of reach
Anna DeVaney finished with nine points, while Deborah Billingham had sevent point and Elizabeth Landers added six for Belgreen (15-5, 5-1).
Holland had a game-high 15 points to go along with seven steals for Vina, while Jesse Norwood had four points and Lizette Martinez added three.
The Vina girls play Tharptown Tuesday in the county tournament, while the Belgreen girls, who are expected to clinch the area title again this season with a win against Covenant Christian Jan. 24, will play Phil Campbell in the tournament at 6 p.m. Friday.