CLINTON — Overall, Brookhaven Academy’s Lady Cougars did whatit takes to win the MPSA Overall Tournament. Turning back a strongchallenge from Leake Academy, the Lady Cougars made history bydefeating the Lady Rebels 72-67 Saturday and completing a perfectseason with a 43-0 record. An enthusiastic crowd, estimated at2,700, witnessed the game in Mississippi College’s A.E. WoodColiseum.

For Brookhaven Academy it was the first Overall title since 1983when the Lady Cougars brought home the coveted trophy. It was thefirst Overall title for BA coach Barry Gray who has seen his girlswin three straight Class AA State Tournament titles.

“My girls are great and they worked hard to achieve this goal,”said Gray. “They want to praise God for their success. I know Godhas had his hand on this team. We haven’t had any serious injuriesand there has been no dissension.”

In a rematch of the previous Saturday’s Class AA Tournamentfinals, Leake (38-3) provided a severe challenge. The Lady Rebelsran and shot the ball extremely well, determined to avenge an 87-60setback.

“We did everything we had to do but we just ran out of gas,”said Leake coach Doyle Wolverton. “Brookhaven Academy is very good.They shot free throws well and they defended the ball very well.Give credit to them. They are a great team.”

Leading 34-28 at halftime, the Lady Cougars got a strongsecond-half performance from junior center Kristian Davidson whowent scoreless the first half. She finished with 10 points and 10rebounds.

“Coach Gray said I needed to step up,” said Davidson. “It feelsawesome to win the championship.”

Offensively, the Lady Cougars got a team-high 20 points fromjunior guard Kelli Byrd. She scored 7 points at the free throw linein the fourth quarter and darted inside for 4 rebounds.

“Coach Gray told us our defense had to do better in the secondhalf,” said Byrd. “We had to make a lot more baskets and execute onoffense.”

Junior forward Mallory Logan followed Byrd with 19 points. Her 4treys helped increase Brookhaven’s lead and turn back Leake’schallenges.

Brookhaven sank 23 of 50 field goal attempts for the game and 20of 27 free throws. After Lauren Smith scored a short jumper with 53seconds left to play, Brookhaven led 69-61. Logan hit 3 of 4 freethrows in the final 34 seconds to cement the win.

“My teammates encouraged me to shoot,” said Logan. “God gave usthe peace to do well.”

The Lady Rebels sacked 3 treys in the final 76 seconds to keepthe score close. Caroline Dees sank a pair of treys and Anna Poseyhit the other.

“Leake is a great team and it was a war our there,” said Gray.”It seemed like every shot they put up went in.”

The Lady Rebels, powered by 6-foot senior center KristinCaldwell, claimed an early 4-0 lead. Brookhaven broke the ice whenSmith and Logan sank back-to-back treys, giving their team a 6-4lead.

“Coach Gray told us to beat Leake; not to go out there and tryto keep Leake from beating us,” said Smith. “He said we shouldn’tbe timid.”

Caldwell worked in the paint for 25 points and 15 rebounds. Shewas supported by Dees with 17 points.

Sophomore Emily Langley, Brookhaven’s top reserve, came off thebench to score a season-high 8 points and grab 4 rebounds. She wasfilling in for Logan, Davidson and senior Jessie Altman.

Langley said she was ready to play. “I have been praying aboutit. As a sub, it’s my job to go out there and get the job done. Weworked hard and made it with God’s help.”

Altman, the only senior in BA’s starting lineup, said thevictory was a team effort. “We all worked together. God is awesome.We want to give Him all the glory.

“I also want to thank all of our fans for their support thisseason.” She and Logan both handed out 5 assists.