Lady Tigers’ rally stopped in last-second loss

The Smithville Lady Tigers came up just short Dec. 30, falling 42-40 to Fayetteville after two potential game-winning shots were blocked in the closing seconds.

Smithville trailed by two with one final possession but could not get a clean look as time expired. The loss dropped the Lady Tigers to 10-10 overall.

The girls varsity basketball team struggled early, falling behind 12-6 after the first quarter. Smithville adapted before halftime and outscored Fayetteville 12-8, heading into the break 20-18.

Offensive issues resurfaced in the third and the Lady Tigers trailed by seven points before mounting a late rally with four minutes remaining.

Senior Sydney Brenner ignited the comeback with a fast-break layup to cut the deficit to 38-33. Senior Chelsea Hendrix connected on a jump shot with 2:40 left and drained a 3-pointer two minutes later to pull Smithville within one.

Fayetteville answered with two free throws to extend the lead to 4138.

With 25 seconds remaining, Hendrix came up with a steal that led to a wide-open layup by Brenner, trimming the margin to 41-40.

Smithville forced a defensive stop to regain possession, but both shot attempts in the final seconds were blocked as the clock expired.

The Lady Tigers played Jarrell after press time Tuesday and will open district play against La Grange at 5:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9.