Early in the first quarter, just minutes into the game Tuesday night versus Hickman County, Lauren March flipped in a layup out of a set play named "five-out", becoming the all-time leading scorer in the storied Tigerette basketball program at Marshall County High School .

Shavonda Campbell, who held the record since 1992 at 1,740 points, was in attendance.

"It was really kind of a relief," said March in an interview Saturday. "I really don't know what it means right now, but I guess I will as I get older."

March finished the contest with 22 points in the 63-39 win over Hickman County as the Tigerettes remained undefeated on the season at 23-0. Marshall County has now won 37 straight games, dating back to Jan. 24, 2008, when it lost 44-38 at Lawrence County.

Before the record-breaking game, March was named as one of the finalists to the McDonald's All-American High School team.

March, who will play for coach Rick Insell at MTSU next year, is recognized as one of the top prep standouts in the nation.

March is among the top 1,000 nominees competing to fill one of 24 rosters spots on the team. The East vs. West showdown will be aired live on ESPN on April 1, 2009, in Miami. The final team roster will be announced in February.

"I want to play in the game. I think it will be exciting to play in front of the big crowd and it will be a good experience," said March.

Earlier this season, March shattered the school record for field goals made when she hit number 747, breaking Sissy Braden's mark.

The senior averages 20.2 points per game, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists per contest, 3.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 53 percent from the floor. Over her four-year career, March has averaged 14.2 points per game.

"To me, Lauren is the best player in the state," said MCHS head coach Boyd West. "If there is another player out there that is more solid then her, I want to coach her. I feel she is Miss Basketball this season."

West, who was an assistant on Insell's staff at Shelbyville added, "She is probably the best player I have coached in my 23-and-a-hallf years. She is a team leader, works hard, and just wants to win. She is a player Rick Insell is glad to have. He knows what she brings to a program and I am just fortunate enough to have coached her here."

The defending Class AA champs are 5-1 in the state tournament over the last two years and seemed poised to make a run for back-to-back titles and three straight trips to the Murphy Center . MCHS was runner-up in 2007 to Knoxville Austin-East.

None of the Tigerettes' four state titles have come back-to-back.

"I had three goals to begin the year," said March. "Break the scoring record, be Miss Basketball, and win another state championship."

March is the solid favorite to win Miss Basketball this season and said, "Miss Basketball only goes to one person and I have been watching as other girls have won over the years and I want to be one of the three finalists this year."

The Tigerettes can clinch their third straight District 10-AA title with a win at Loretto Tuesday night, coming one step closer to a return trip to the big dance.

"We really have not talked much about state," said March. "We want to win district and region and when tournament time comes, you have to reach that higher level. We all know that."

One goal accomplished and the other two, very likely on the way