MONTICELLO — Brookhaven and Jackson Jim Hill’s girls played asee-saw battle for 3 quarters of this Division 6-4A girlssemifinals battle Thursday. In the end, the Lady Panthers’inability to put the basketball in the basket, and turnovers led toa 40-27 loss at the hands of Hill’s Lady Tigers.

In other semifinal action, Wingfield’s girls defeated McComb54-38 and the Jim Hill boys beat Terry 63-35.

The consolation girls game gets under way at 4 p.m. today,featuring Brookhaven and McComb, followed by the consolation boysbetween Terry and Lawrence County

The championship girls game tips off around 7 with Wingfield andJim Hill. The championship boys contest pitting, Jim Hill andMcComb, starts at 8:30. All of today’s participants advance to thefirst round of the South State 4A tournament, beginning Monday withgirls plays and Tuesday with boys action.

Jim Hill 40, Brookhaven 27

Poor shooting and turnovers plagued both teams during the first 3periods. Ole Brook held a 9-6 lead at the end of the first period,but trailed 18-9 at the intermission. Freshman center Nikki Byrdposted 7 of her team-high 9 points in the second on 3 offensiveputbacks.

The Lady Tigers took a 4-point advantage, 27-23, into the finalstanza. Jim Hill, coached by Jackie Ross, took advantage ofnumerous Lady Panther turnovers and held Ole Brook to a pair offourth quarter field goals.

“We made too many turnovers down the stretch,” said Brookhaven headcoach Billy Holmes. “We have to get better production out of ourguards.”

Byrd also had 14 rebounds and 2 blocked shots for the LadyPanthers. Portia Dickey had 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Ole Brookcommitted 21 turnovers, including 11 in the final 8 minutes.

The Lady Tigers got a game-high 13 points from Sherrion Thomas,followed by NeAisha Anderson with 12.

“It was not pretty, but we will take it,” said Ross following thegame. “Both teams played hard.”

Wingfield 54, McComb 38

The No. 1-seeded Lady Falcons (23-6) were paced by Dominique Suttonwith 18 points, followed by Candace Johnson with 13 and LoreanShoulders with 11 points. The McComb Lady Tigers (13-17), coachedby Carolyn Whitehead, got a team-high 14 points from senior StaceyMorris. Ryan Tobias followed with 11.

Jim Hill 63, Terry 35

The Tigers (18-11) got a game-high 23 points from senior guardSollie Norwood. Alcorn State football-signee Tony Hobson added 14for head coach Fred Harris.

Terry (16-10) was led by Matthew Fortson with 13 points, andAnthony Dixon with 12.

McComb 42, Lawrence Co. 40

The Tigers (26-5) got a game-high 19 points from Eric Mitchell (3treys). David Clark paced Lawrence County (23-5) with 13points.