Winning the Eugene Tournament earlier this season, Evin Farris’ Belle Lady Tigers returned to Cole County last week looking for more championship hardware from the Sixth Annual Russellville Girls Basketball Tournament.

Dispatching Versailles 72-23 in the opening round last Monday and defeating Tuscumbia 46-32 in the semifinals Thursday night, Belle earned a spot in the championship game Saturday night alongside the host Lady Indians.

Holding Russellville to 12 points through three quarters of basketball, Belle continued their dominance in Cole County with a 50-23 victory over the Lady Indians.

With the win, Belle improved to 16-3 overall to go along with a 7-0 mark in Cole County.

Sophomore center Halle Smith helped the Lady Tigers to a 24-9 halftime lead scoring 15 of her game-high 17 points in the first half.

Averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds a game throughout the tournament, Smith was named the Russellville Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP).

“I couldn’t believe I was named MVP for the tournament,” Smith said. “I couldn’t have done without my teammates getting me the ball allowing me to score.”

Fellow sophomore Gracie Schultz took over the scoring load in the second half netting 14 of her 16 points to join Smith in double figures.

Putting in five points in the fourth quarter, Olivia Sanders nearly made it three Lady Tigers in double figures finishing with nine points.

Baylie Cadwallader added four points followed by three second-half points from Erin Schalk.

Grace Bush added a first-quarter free throw for one point.

Other Belle Lady Tigers on the tournament roster included Chloe Krause, Kierra Finn, Susie Moman, Abby Keeney, Gracie Rehmert, Lauren Prigge and Faith Gieck.

Semifinal action against Tuscumbia saw Belle make the most of a 25-12 halftime lead.

Barely edging Tuscumbia 21-20 in the second half, the Lady Tigers overcame a sluggish performance posting a 46-32 semifinal win.

Once again doing most of her damage in the first half, Smith led Belle and all scorers with a game-high 20 points. Krause connected on three 3-point shots helping her land in double figures with 14 points.

Schultz also drilled a pair of 3-balls to help her net eight points against Tuscumbia.

Belle’s Lady Tigers will return to action Friday night on the road against Viburnum’s Lady Blue Jays in Iron County as part of a quadrupleheader starting at 5 p.m.