All-state center Jackie Butler and his McComb teammates authoredan impressive fourth quarter comeback Monday night and beat theBrookhaven Panthers 64-59 in Sinclair Gymnasium. Butler, a6-foot-10 senior, provided 29 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blockedshots as he scored 7 of the Tigers’ final 10 points, handing thePanthers their first loss in nine games.

“We got some big-time rebounds and got the winning shots,” saidButler. “Our bench did a good job, too.”

McComb (4-1) was fresh from a 59-49 Friday night loss atHattiesburg. McComb is a big favorite in the Class 4A state titlechase this season. Butler has made an early verbal commitment tosign with Mississippi State in April.

Brookhaven (8-1) led by as much as 10 points in the thirdquarter and the partisan crowd was smelling a Panther victory.Lamar Hall’s 3-point play had given the Panthers a 44-34 lead with3:31 left in the third quarter.

The Tigers didn’t take the lead until guard Chris Daniels sackeda 3-point goal from from the top of the key with 24 seconds left inthe game. Butler swished 4 straight free throws and grabbed a bigrebound to secure the win. Butler was a perfect 7-for-7 at thecharity line.

Tony Brinson joined Butler in doubled figures with 10 points.Senior guard D.J. Carr scored all 8 of his points in McComb’s26-point fourth quarter.

“Our defense and our offensive rebounding was a key,” saidMcComb coach Hilton Harrell. “We had a hard game at Hattiesburg.Everybody plays us hard.

“Jackie came out and set the tempo for us. He is maturing. He’shandling the double-team better.”

Harrell and Butler were named The Daily Leader’sAll-Area Coach and Player of the Year after last season’s statetournament run. McComb is minus starting guard Tremaine Landrew whois out 3-4 weeks with a stress fracture.

Brookhaven held a 34-30 halftime lead. The Panthers sacked 9treys in the game and worked hard trying to contain Butler. Seniorforward Lamar Hall led the attack with 15 points and Jasper Hallnetted 14. Guard Brandon Caston netted 11 points, including a treyfrom the corner to start the game.

BHS first-year head coach Ronald Hines said his Panthers didn’texecute offensively in the closing minutes of the game. “We did apoor job executing at the end. We had to execute cuts onoffense.”

Guard Genario Richardson had his 3-point jumper blocked in thefinal seconds and Butler was fouled. Butler made both free shotswith 0.7 seconds showing on the clock.

Asked about his game plan, Hines said, “We wanted to stop theirother shooters besides Butler. We did a good job the firsthalf.”

Hines said the Panthers are still learning his offense. “Theyhave a new coach and that’s an adjustment for them.”