On Tuesday night, Brookhaven High’s Sinclair Gymnasium was thesite of a pair of Division 6-4A overtime thrillers against PortGibson. lt was a good night for the hosts as victory was recognizedin the extra sessions.

Panther sophomore Bobo Rancifer tossed in 22 of his game-high 27points in the second half, to lead Ole Brook to a 58-56 win overthe Blue Wave. The Lady Wave took the Lady Panthers down to thefinal seconds in overtime, before dropping a 52-48 decision to OleBrook.

Brookhaven continues in Division 6-4A play Friday night, hostingdivision leading Mendenhall for 3 games, the first tipping off at 5p.m. The Lady Tigers and Tigers are both ranked No. 1 in the latestQHO Southwest MS Prep Super Seven Polls. The Mendenhall boys wereranked No. 3 in the latest AP poll.

Brookhaven makes up a date with Bogue Chitto Saturday night, atBogue Chitto. Action starts at 6 p.m.

Brookhaven 52, Port Gibson 48 (OT)

The Lady Wave (7-14, 1-4) took charge in the opening 8 minutes,as Nakia Dotson scored 8 of her team-high 16 points. Port Gibson,coached by Harold Higgins, realized a 14-5 lead at the end of thequarter.

The Lady Panthers (7-11, 1-1) got a boost from senior forwardPortia Dickey, who scored 8 points in the second frame. Brookhaventrailed 21-16 at the intermission break. Dickey finished the gamewith 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocked shots and 3 assists.

“Portia gave us a good effort off the bench tonight,” said OleBrook head coach Billy Holmes. “Our confidence needs to pick upmore. We have to take better care of the basketball.”

Holmes’ squad outscored Port Gibson 28-23 in the second half toforce the extra 4 minutes.

In the overtime period, the Lady Wave took a brief 47-44lead.

Ole Brook would respond behind a basket by Swayze Black and freethrows by Corena Bates and Nikki Byrd. Junior guard Jermecia Jones’trey gave the Lady Panthers a 50-47 advantage they would neverrelinquish.

Lending support for the Lady Panthers was Nikki Byrd with 14points and 7 rebounds. Black blocked 3 Port Gibson shots. BlancheWilson dished out 3 assists. Brookhaven had 22 turnovers. Dickeyand Bates (7) combined for 23 points off the Lady Pantherbench.

“We got some good scoring off the bench,” added Holmes.

Port Gibson got 12 points from Shannon Johnson. Reigna Grigsbyhad 16 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 assists. The Lady Wave committed 18turnovers, and were outrebounded by Ole Brook 37-30.

Brookhaven 58, Port Gibson 56, OT

The Panthers (4-14, 1-1) were looking for a complete game;getting consistent play throughout the night; instead of in spurts.Ole Brook got the win, but head coach Ronald Hines saw that thereis always room for improvement.

“We need to get consistent play for four quarters,” said Hines.”Outside the fourth quarter, we played well defensively.”

Hines was referring to the Blue Wave’s 18-8 fourth stanza. PortGibson, coached by Kim Windham, took advantage of several Panthermiscues; after trailing by 10 points early in the second half. KarlFleming sacked a 15-footer from the charity stripe, as time expiredto force the overtime period.

Rancifer scored Ole Brook’s first 8 points of the extra frame.The Blue Wave would respond with Joseph Porter pumping 7 points.Port Gibson missed 5 free throws in the final minutes, to aidBrookhaven to the win.

“We have to take better care of the basketball at key times inthe game,” added Hines whose team had only 13 turnovers.

Hines’ ballclub got 11 points from guard Tory Richardson. SimmieYarborough had 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 assists. Jerome Avery had2 steals and 2 assists.

The Panthers forced 12 errors by Port Gibson, and held a 28-22advantage in rebounding. Ole Brook shot 45 percent (16 of 35overall) from the field.

Porter paced the Blue Wave (4-17, 0-5) with 17 points and 6rebounds. Karl Fleming added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2assists..