COLUMBIA – The MAIS Class AA South State Tournament drew a largecrowd of Brookhaven Academy fans to the Columbia Academy gymnasiumSaturday. The Cougar Nation didn’t go home disappointed as the LadyCougars overpowered the Bowling Green Lady Buccaneers with a stronginside game, led by senior Mary Lindsey Magee’s career-high 17points in a 48-36 triumph.

The Brookhaven Academy boys fell short of their title quest, bowing46-30 to Columbia Academy.

Both BA teams will play either Wednesday or Thursday night in theAA State Tournament which will be held in BA’s John R. GrayGymnasium. The North AA finals were delayed until Monday because ofsnow in northern Mississippi.

The Lady Cougars (27-3) played one of their best games of theseason and they needed it in Saturday’s title test. The Lady Bucsran a triangle and two on defense, trying to concentrate on guardsLaura Beth Wright and Terah Winborne. In response, BA Coach BarryGray provided a game plan as the Lady Cougars worked the ballinside to Magee and Anna Katelyn Mangold who played out of a doublelow post.

“We took what they gave us and we took the ball inside,” said Gray.”I think Bowling Green played one of their better games of theyear. That made our girls rise up a level. We had a good effortfrom everybody.”

The victory gave his Lady Cougars 11 South AA crowns in the last 13years. “We’ve been blessed with a lot of good athletes,” saidGray.

Gray said rebounding was decisive. “We dominated the backboards andwe had few turnovers.”

Winborne netted 13 points and Mangold 12. The Lady Cougars led29-22 at halftime.

On the backboards, Mangold snatched 9 rebounds and Wright grabbed7. Magee and Winborne had 5 rebounds apiece. Winborne had 3assists.

Gray said Wright did an outstanding job guarding Bowling Green’sBeth Reedy, a sharpshooter from the perimeter. Reedy only hit onetrey in the game.

The Bucs got 13 points from Morgan Hembree and 11 from MakaylaDykes 11.

Named to the South All-Tournament team were Wright, Winborne,Mangold and Magee.

The BA Cougars (16-10) fell behind early and never recovered,trailing 23-14 at halftime. Tanner Pace led Columbia in scoringwith 16 points and Christian Robbins netted 10.

Brookhaven got 14 points from Brock Smith and 9 from Gage Posey.Smith, Posey and Sidney Chaffin were named to the all-tournamentteam.

On the backboards, Posey had 5 rebounds and Smith 4.