By TAYLOR BECK, Sports Editor
The Lady Aggies delivered one of the day’s most dramatic finishes, edging Class 5A No. 2 Guntersville to secure the county championship after dropping the teams’ previous meeting earlier this season.
The opening quarter was physical and emotional, highlighted by a technical foul on Albertville’s Lani Smallwood midway through the period. Albertville led 19-18 after one behind Smallwood’s 8 points and 7 from Mylie Butler, while Addison Hammond had nine for Guntersville.
Albertville seized control in the second quarter, surging ahead 31-22 before pushing the lead to 37-22 at halftime. Smallwood scored 15 points in the first half, though foul trouble mounted for both teams, with Guntersville’s Buie and Cook and Albertville’s Butler and Booker all picking up three fouls before the break.
Guntersville clawed back in the second half, trimming the lead to 54-47 after three quarters and pulling within 58-56 with 5:11 to play as Kenna’D Buie carried the Wildcats offensively.
The final minutes were defined by fouls and free throws. Smallwood calmly sealed the win at the line, finishing with a game-high 34 points in a 70-67 victory.
Butler added 17 points for Albertville, Millie McBee scored 10, and Booker finished with 7. Buie led Guntersville with 19 points, while Hammond added 18.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Albertville head coach Natasha Smallwood said. “At the end of the day, it’s who finishes the game. These girls play with heart and grit. They’re selfless, they love each other, and that’s what winners do.”
The Lady Aggies advanced to the championship by defeating Brindlee Mountain 83-30 and Arab 74-35.
Smallwood was named tournament MVP, with Butler, Booker, and McBee also earning All-Tournament honors. Natasha Smallwood was named Coach of the Year.
All Tournament Team included: Albertville – MVP Lani Smallwood, Mylie Butler, Whitley Booker, Millie McBee Guntersville – Addison Hammond, Kenna’D Buie, She’Londa Wellington Boaz – Braylee Hogue, Addison Bowlin Arab – Jill Stapler, Lauren Lambert Asbury – Presley Rahm Brindlee Mountain – Devon Murray DAR – Annie Ruth Hunt Douglas – Leslie Spain
Tournament MVP Lani Smallwood breaks free from Sophie Porch (2) on the way to the basket during Albertville’s victory Saturday in the finals of the Marshall County tournament. The Aggies are ranked second in Class 7A. Photo by TAYLOR BECK l The Leader
