CLINTON – Adversity and the Jackson Prep Lady Patriots conqueredBrookhaven Academy’s Lady Cougars Wednesday night in thequarterfinals of the MPSA Overall Tournament. Led by MeredithWilloughby’s 12 points and a deep bench, the Lady Pats beatBrookhaven 47-41 in Mississippi College’s A.E. Wood Coliseum,witnessed by an estimated crowd of 2,300.

Prep, the No. 3 team out of AAA, advances to Friday’s semifinalsand plays Class A Riverdale. Strider plays Delta in the othersemifinals game in a battle of Class A powers.

The Lady Cougars (38-2) were in early foul trouble. Guard KelliByrd, BA’s leading scorer, picked up her third personal foul with28 seconds left in the first quarter and sat out the remainder ofthe first half as Prep (32-5) took a 27-23 halftime lead.overcoming Brookhaven’s full-court pressure.

“It was one of those nights when we stayed in foul trouble,”said Brookhaven Academy coach Barry Gray. “Most teams in thatsituation would have folded but our girls fought back and neverquit. We showed great heart and overcame adversity.

“Jackson Prep is the most athletic team in our league,” saidGray. “They are deep and they have speed.”

Byrd scored 8 of her 10 points in the second half but Prep wasable to capitalize at the free throw line. After Byrd sank an18-footer from the corner and closed the gap to 41-39 with 2:37left, the Patriots made 6 of 8 free throws to secure the win.

Sophomore forward Mallory Logan led Brookhaven with 12 pointsand 6 rebounds. Junior post Jessie Altman scored 9 points, grabbed7 rebounds and made 4 steals. Lauren Smith dished out 7assists.

Prep was able to keep Brookhaven off the free throw line. TheCougars made 1 of 4 free shots compared to Prep’s 14 of 18.Brookhaven (0-for-8) was unable to sink a trey last night.

Prep coach Jerry Browning was happy to beat Brookhaven.”Defensively, I’m proud of our effort. We never lost ourintensity.

“Brookhaven has a great team and they kept pounding andpounding. Barry does a great job with that program.”

Senior center Anna Gatlin had 6 rebounds as Brookhaven held a25-19 advantage on the backboards. Prep had 14 turnovers andBrookhaven 9. The Cougars were 20 for 46 from the field compared toPrep’s 15 of 40.

When Logan hit a baseline jumper from 18 feet, the Cougars hadnearly overcome a 14-7 first-quarter deficit. Leading 19-17, Prepgot a putback from Lauren Wade and a short jumper from CatherineGrenfell off the break for a 23-17 lead with 3:12 left in the firsthalf. Wade had 6 rebounds.

“We are really going to miss Anna Gatlin and Angie Davis,” saidCoach Gray. They gave us good senior leadership.”