Freshman guard Gage Posey didn’t have much time to think abouthis game-winning shot Tuesday night in Brookhaven Academy’s John R.Gray Gymnasium. Posey took the inbounds pass from Jake Reed with1.7 seconds left on the clock, quickly turned and launched a3-point field goal from the corner that hit nothing but net,lifting the Cougars to a thrilling 61-60 overtime victory againstthe Mt. Salus Christian School Eagles.

Posey, a slender southpaw, was mobbed by his teammates after thegame-winner. He was 1 of only 7 varsity players available becauseseveral team members are still playing football as the Cougarsprepare for Friday night’s MAIS Class AA South StateChampionship.

“All I was thinking was, just grab it (ball) and shoot it,” saidPosey. “I thought it was an airball.”

Posey’s connection highlighted a Herculean team effort against ataller and stronger squad from Clinton that featured 4 blackstarters. Senior forward Jake Reed carried the Cougars (3-0) with35 points and 5 rebounds.

“Jake is a senior and he’s the one who has to carry us,” said BAboys coach Dale Watts.

Asked about the last-second shot, Watts said, “We drew it up. Wehad Gage in the corner and Sidney (Chaffin) rotating to the top,”of the key. Chaffin finished with 11 points. Brock Smith had 6rebounds.

The Cougars shot 50 percent from the field.

Mt. Salus (3-1), coached by former Hillcrest Christian coachRichard Elam, got 23 points from George Thomas, 15 from MichaelPhillips and 13 from Kamry Owens.

“I told my kids they did a good job and a great shot beat them,”said Elam. “We will do well in our classification (A).”

A turnaround jumper by Reed had gained BA a 52-52 deadlock with1:39 left in regulation. Both teams had opportunities to win itbefore time expired and Thomas’ last-second jumper bounced off therim.

The Lady Cougars (5-0) buried Mt. Salus 68-24, powered bysophomore guard Terah Winborne’s 18 points and 5 rebounds. Juniorcenter Anna Katelyn Mangold chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds.Mary Lindsey Magee had 11 points and 9 rebounds. Lofton and LauraBeth Wright each had 4 assists. Summer Calhoun had 7 rebounds.

Coach Barry Gray’s girls roared to a 41-14 halftime lead.

Allie Sandifer’s 9 points led the Lady Eagles (2-4) inscoring.

Brookhaven Academy hosts Jackson Prep Thursday night for avarsity twinbill, starting with the girls at 6 p .m.