CLINTON — Seth Davis and the Brookhaven Academy Cougars found away to beat Jackson Prep Tuesday night in the second round of theMPSA Overall Tournament. The senior center scored 15 points andgrabbed 13 rebounds in sparking his team to a 52-44 overtimevictory.

A crowd estimated of 2,000-plus gathered in the MississippiCollege A.E. Wood Coliseum and watched the Cougars overcome seriousfoul trouble. The Cougars also overcame a sluggish offensiveperformance to send the Patriots packing.

The Cougars (35-1) will play the winner of theMadison-Ridgeland/West Memphis game Friday night at 7:15, in thesemifinals which will be held at Millsaps College.

Due to a conflict with MC hosting the ASC Women’s Tournament,the semifinals were moved to Millsaps. Championship finals will beheld Saturday at MC.

Brookhaven Academy head coach Dale Watts had watched his Cougarsstruggle on offense during last week’s three Class AA statetournament games at East Rankin. Relying on defense and hustle,they managed to prevail and repeat as state champions.

“We showed a lot of guts and character,” said Watts. “All lastweek, it was the same thing like tonight. Different players steppedup.”

Davis, BA’s tallest player at 6-foot-4, rose to the occasion.When senior guard Jeremy Winborne, BA’s leading scorer (16.4 ppg),fouled out with 5:05 left in the third quarter, Prep quickly builtan 8-point, 28-20 lead.

Davis helped rally the troops. With 1 minute left in the game,Davis cashed in a 3-point play, gaining a 39-39 deadlock. Hegrabbed 4 rebounds in the quarter and sacked a trey from the top ofthe key.

“It was a nerve-wracking game,” said Davis. “We just kept onfighting. We are blessed. By God’s grace, we won.”

In the 4-minute overtime, BA took control, building a 10-pointadvantage. Kurt Perkins sank 3 free throws and a driving layupduring the surge. T-Boy Lynch netted 3 of 4 free throws and CoryDickerson cashed in a steal with a layup, giving the Cougars a49-39 lead with 49 seconds left in OT.

“When Jeremy fouled out, me and Alan (Gray) got everyonefocused,” said Davis. “We kept our heads in the game. Prep has agreat team with a lot of good athletes.”

The Patriots (36-5) were unable to a avenge a 57-46 loss to theCougars, also played at MC, on Jan. 6. Coach Rod Delaney’s team wasled by 6-3 sophomore center Bob House who accounted for 16 pointsand 6 rebounds.

Lynch, the only junior in BA’s starting lineup, scored 14points, 6 coming in overtime. Gray accounted for 7 rebounds. Davishad 5 steals and Dickerson 3.

The Cougars overcame 6 first-quarter turnovers and trailed 9-8.They took an 11-8 lead on a trey by Davis. Prep held a 20-17halftime lead as the Cougars shot a cold 31 percent from thefield.

Parklane 57, Leake 51

The Lady Pioneers (29-6) advanced to Friday’s semifinals byeliminating Class AA state champion Leake. They were led by 6-footcenter Erin Brabham’s 21 points. Hope Swindle added 16 points.

Coach Kim Weaver’s Lady Pioneers play the winner of theDelta-Jackson Prep game in the semis at 2:15.

The Rebelettes (38-3) got 18 points from Allison Phillips and 13from Hannah Lee.