McCOMB – Brookhaven and McComb played a close ballgame on Dec.29, in the championship game of the 2003 McComb Coca-ColaInvitational Tournament. The Lady Panthers took the Lady Tigersinto double-overtime, before falling 72-65 in the tournament.

On Friday night in the McComb High gym, the same two ballclubsmet in a Division 6-4A showdown. Brookhaven, powered by adominating inside game, led through most of the 32-minute affairand held on for a 52-47 win.

Brookhaven hosts division foe Lawrence County Tuesday night inSinclair Gym. McComb hosts Jim Hill Tuesday for a divisionaltest.

Brookhaven 52, McComb 47

McComb, with no division losses (7 division wins, 19-3 overall),were looking to solidify their position as the No. 1 seed in thedivision tournament.

The Division 6-4A tournament will be held Feb. 17-20, atMcComb.

Brookhaven would be the dominant force on this night. The LadyPanthers (14-11, 5-3) were powered by their post play, with 17 oftheir 22 field goals coming inside the free throw lane.

The Lady Tigers found themselves trailing 16-10 after oneperiod, and 24-19 at the intermission.

Brookhaven’s twin tower combination of 6-foot seniors AnnaAutman (10) and Kristian McCray (8) combined for 18 of the LadyPanthers 24 first half points.

“Anna and Kris did a outstanding job on the boards,” said OleBrook head coach Billy Holmes. “Our guards played bettertonight.”

Both teams played an even second half, 16 points each in thethird period and 12 points apiece in the fourth.

With McComb trailing 50-47, Brookhaven guard Ashley Leggett icedthe win inside of 5 seconds left on the clock. Her steal andsubsequent layup killed any hopes of a Lady Tiger comeback, as timeexpired.

“This was a big win for us tonight,” said Holmes following thegame. “We came in focused tonight.

“We wanted to keep Stacy Morris off the boards,” added Holmes.He was referring to the 5-foot-10 post player for the Lady Tigers,who torched the Lady Panthers for 30 points and 16 rebounds on Dec.29. Morris did not score in this game.

Autman finished the game with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 stealsand 3 assists. McCray provided 10 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blockedshots. Ashley Leggett pumped in 11 points and 3 steals. ChiquitaRancifer dished out 3 assists.

Samantha Felder led McComb with 12 points, followed by ReneeMcCray with 10. Their outside shooting kept head coach CarolynWhitehead’s ballclub in the game.

The Lady Panthers won the battle of the boards 34-29, while theLady Tigers won the turnover war 19-26.

GIRLS

Brookhaven 52, McComb 47

McComb (47) Samantha Felder 12, Renee McCray 10, Patterson 8,Pickens 8, Cockerham 6, Watson 2.

Brookhaven (52) Anna Autman 16, Kristian McCray 13, AshleyLeggett 11, Wilson 6, Dickey 2.

Total Fouls: McComb 13, Brookhaven 8. Fouled Out: None.Technicals: None.

Free Throws M-A: McComb 2-4, Brookhaven 6-12.

3-point goals: McComb 5 (Felder 2, Patterson 2, McCray),Brookhaven 2 (Leggett, Wilson).

Brookhaven

16

8

16

12

— 52

McComb

10

9

16

12

— 47

Division 6-4A Girls Standings

W

L

McComb

7

1

Wingfield

7

2

Brookhaven

5

3

South Pike

6

4

Lawrence Co.

3

5

Jim Hill

2

5

Terry

0

10