McComb senior guard Sheree Thompson is considered one of the topcollege prospects in Mississippi. Thompson lived up to hernewspaper clips Friday night, sacking a game-high 26 points as theLady Tigers beat home-standing Brookhaven 50-40 in SinclairGymnasium.

McComb (8-1), winning its eighth straight game since aseason-opening loss to Provine, is minus four starters from lastyear’s state tournament team. Brookhaven, hampered by 28 turnovers,fell to 5-6 with the setback.

“Turnovers were a key,” said Brookhaven girls coach Ronald Gill.His Lady Panthers trailed 24-17 at halftime. They settled down andhad nine turnovers the second half.

“McComb was about three steps quicker at every positiontonight,” said Gill. “If Thompson misses her shot, she’ll go getit.”

McComb head coach Carolyn Whitehead has watched Thompsonshowcase her talents since she was a freshman. Mississippi Statehas offered Thompson a full scholarship but she prefers to postponeher signing until later.

“Sheree Thompson is finally a senior and she’s our leader,” saidWhitehead. “We are capable of playing a lot better. We need tallerpost players. Our guards are working hard.”

Gill said he was impressed by McComb point guard Myesha Wynnewho handled Brookhaven’s defense and scored 8 points. “No. 22(Wynne) did a good job. Our girls played hard.”

Brookhaven got 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals from seniorforward Nikki Blakely. Senior forward Juliana Wallace added 10points, scoring 8 in the first half, including a pair of treys.Shamika Gilmore had 5 steals.

Starting the third quarter, Brookhaven scored 3 unansweredpoints, reducing its deficit to 24-20. Thompson went to work,sacking a pair of treys and a 2-point field goal for a 32-20 McComblead.

Thompson started the fourth quarter with a putback, givingMcComb a 12-point, 40-28 advantage.