The host Brookhaven Academy Cougars overcame a slowfirst-quarter start to take control of the remaining three for a76-46 win over the Marshall Patriots Wednesday night before apacked house in the first round of the State AA Tournament at JohnR. Gray Gymnasium.

In the other boys game Wednesday, Prairie View (La.) crushedWest Memphis 93-77.

All four teams, including Presbyterian Christian and Leake,qualified for Overall next week.

Brookhaven (29-1) advances to Friday night’s semifinals andmeets Prairie View at 7:30 p.m. Presbyterian Christian tangles withLeake at 6. Saturday’s consolation game is at 6 followed by thechampionship game at 7:30.

“It puts us in Overall now,” said Brookhaven Academy boys coachDale Watts after the win. “These seniors have a State AA title ontheir minds.”

Brookhaven trailed 13-9 in the first quarter when Marshall’sZach Shaw hit a jumper at the buzzer for the brief four-pointcushion. Marshall’s final lead in the game was at the 3:20 mark inthe second quarter when the Patriots were up 25-24 over theCougars.

Brookhaven’s Cole Hodges scored on a layup to put the Cougars up26-25. Senior forward Craig Smith scored on a layup. Hodges made asteal and connected with Smith for another two points and a 30-25lead. The Cougars led by three points, 30-27 after Shaw hit a bigtwo pointer at the end of the first half.

At the start of the third quarter, Seth Adams of Marshall hit afield goal and cut the Brookhaven lead to 30-29. The Cougarsresponded with a powerful 17-0 run for a 47-29 lead until the 3:07mark when Shaw went 1-for-2 from the charity line to end the coldspell for the Patriots. During the run, senior guard Jimmy Latham,Craig Smith and junior forward Jonathan Winborne burned thePatriots with jump shots and layups. The Brookhaven defense workedthe backboards hard for some big rebounds as Marshall quickly fellout of the game.

In the fourth quarter, Hodges nailed a trey to give Brookhaven a20 point, 55-35 lead over Marshall with 6:18 left in the game.

“It was a good win,” said Latham. “We had to win to make it tooverall. The seniors decided we didn’t want the season to beover.”

Latham felt the game began to turn in Brookhaven’s favor nearthe end of the first half.

“It was towards the very end of the first half,” stated Latham.”We got a lot of steals. They got frustrated.”

Latham finished the game with 18 points, including 3 treys, andsix rebounds.

Watts was pleased with Latham’s performance last night. “Ithought Jimmy Latham played a good game. He stepped up to theplate.

“Craig Smith stepped up,” added Watts.

Smith powered Brookhaven with 24 points, six rebounds and threesteals.

“I just think we play a lot better in our gym and I’m glad we’reback here,” said Smith. “We feel more comfortable. After the losswe had (to PCS), it kind of motivated everybody. Our defensestepped it up when when we had to.”

Winborne fired in 11 points, grabbed five rebounds, made twosteals and had two assists for Brookhaven. Alex Davis made fivesteals and had five assists. Collecting three rebounds, threesteal;s and six assists was Layne Moreton.

Adams powered the 16-16 Patriots with 13 points. Shaw netted 11points.

Latham feels Brookhaven can beat Prairie View a second time whenthey meet in the semifinals Friday night.

“We beat them (Prairie View) once before,” said Latham,referring to the 69-61 South State semifinals at Raymond. “We knowthat they have good players. We have to put it together like we didlast night.”

Smith echoed his teammate’s sentiments. “I think we can handlethem. If we play our game and we can stay relaxed.”

Watts said he appreciated the fans support last night. “Everytime we got a rally going, the Cougar fans got behind us,” saidWatts.