Betty Carol Fite was an unbelievable Smithville High School basketball player during the early 1960’s.    Without argument, she was, undoubtedly, the best basketball player that ever played the game.  While a senior, she averaged 42 points per game. Fite played round ball from 1961-1965, which correlates with playing three years at Smithville High School and 1 year in the newly constructed DeKalb County High School.

During her playing career at the local high schools, she averaged 40.65 points per game. Her four-year career points totaled 3,481.  Fite set a school record when she scored 67 points in one game and held another record for most points in one quarter totaling 29.  During one season, Fite scored 72 points more than the combined total of the opposition.

Fite was in a league by herself.  Coached by the memorable late Harold Luna, her name became synonymous with greatness and DeKalb County basketball.  I vividly remember families gathering together every Friday night and going to the local gymnasium just to see Betty Carol play.  And, yes, it was an important part of my growing years at College Street Middle School.  When she played, games were won and scores were unsurmountable.  In one game in 1964, she hit for 43 points.

Betty Carol, as she was known, made the All-Mid-state Teams for two years and was named the Most Valuable Player in 1965 as a senior.    She also set two free throw records in the Tennessee State Playoffs.

Joan Underwood said, “This girl was my hero back then.”  Back then was in the early 1960’s.  The gymnasium was at the Smithville High School on College Street for three years; later transferring to the newly-constructed DeKalb County High School.

Never mind that the basketball regulation playing field was half-court and it occurred before the three-point shot.  Makes one wonder what could have happened if the basketball games were played today with full-court and three-point shots?

One of her greatest fans was Bobbie Nixon Murphy of Nashville: “I was in eighth grade and broke my arm at school two days before Betty Carol was going to play her last game (This was in 1967).  I didn’t tell anyone about my arm for fear of missing that game. Thought I would die with chills, fever, and gut-wrenching pain.  But I saw her last game before I was admitted to the hospital the next day!”

Marlene Prichard said that she was just the best.  Amazing.  My school friend, Bud Judkins said, “Nothing but net!”

Today, Betty Carol Fite is now 76-years-old and she lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  Her parents were the late Hartwell and Annette (Bratten) Fite of Liberty, Tennessee.   Bundy Bratten of Smithville was her maternal uncle.  Fite was born in October, 1947.  Currently, she appears to be unmarried.

In conclusion, Smithville Civic Leader, Tom Duggin, proudly said in summation, “Greatest basketball player in DeKalb County sports history.”