MS SC604

Belmont High School "Lady Cardinals" won their 10th Class 3A Mississippi High School Activities Association State Championship with a 39-38 victory over Ripley on March 1, 2012, at the Mississippi Coliseum.

The team (32-4 record) overcame a 10-point deficit in just over three minutes, with Kelsie Montgomery hitting two 3-pointers in the final 3:30 of the game to spark the comeback.

Leslie Robinson scored the game-winning layup with 16 seconds remaining after consecutive Ripley turnovers, capping a 7-0 run to end the game.

Head Coach Chris Higginbottom led the Lady Cardinals to their second state title in three years, with Angelia Allen leading the team with 14 points in the championship game.

The resolution commends and congratulates the team, coaches, players, and parents, with copies to be presented to Coach Higginbottom, Principal Mark Hood, the Tishomingo County Board of Education, and the Capitol Press Corps.