CLINTON – Overall, it was an outstanding performance. BrookhavenAcademy’s Lady Cougars marched through three straight Class AAAopponents and defeated Jackson Academy 54-44 Saturday in thechampionship finals of the MAIS Overall Tournament.

The Lady Cougars (31-4), a week removed from a disappointingloss to Leake Academy in the Class AA State Tournament finals,redeemed themselves and celebrated a shining moment at midcourt inA.E. Wood Coliseum. It was their first Overall crown since 2004 andthe second for BA coach Barry Gray.

They gathered at midcourt and hoisted the gold basketballtrophy. They posed for a team picture and placed Callie Cole in themiddle as she sat in her wheelchair. Cole, severely injured andpartially paralyzed in an auto accident in September of 2009, hadmaintained a close connection with the team during the longrehabilitation process. Her No. 12 uniform was carried to each gamethe last two seasons and placed on a chair. She smiled and held upan index finger, signifying No. 1.

Gray’s girls were able to consistently handle JA’s aggressive,full-court pressure. They broke the press with their dribbling andpassing skills.

Senior center Anna Katelyn Mangold accounted for 16 points and 9rebounds in the victory. She was pleased with the triumph.

“Our team was really calm today,” said Mangold. “We knew thatGod was on our side.”

Mangold’s mother, Michelle Lofton Mangold, had helped the BAgirls win an Overall title in 1983 under former head coach Gene”Moochie” Britt. The Lady Cougars were runners-up in that AA statetournament, too.

“We were really down after losing state but we decided to focuson Overall,” said Mangold. “We’ve all been together since theseventh grade.”

Gray promised his team he would dance to a rap song in thedressing room if they won the Overall title and he didn’tdisappoint. His girls screamed with glee and laughter as the musicboomed after the game.

Brookhaven Academy guard Terah Winborne directed the victorywith 23 points, making 10 of 11 free throws in the game. She alsosacked 2 treys.

“My dad (Stan) tells me to work on free throws,” said Winborne.”He says, ‘They’re free. You have to make them.'”

Winborne said she was confident her team could win it all. “Weknew what we had to do. We worked together as a team and wewon.”

The BA girls moved ahead of JA 14-12 at the start of the secondquarter when Winborne cashed in a baseline drive and tacked on afree throw. They increased the lead to 12 points, 25-14 onMangold’s short jumper with 3:22 left in the first half..

In the third quarter, junior guard Laura Beth Wright gave BAsome breathing room, hitting a jumper from the right side and thenmaking a driving layup off JA’s full-court press. Her free throwconverted a 3-point play and BA led by 13 points, 37-24, with 4:40left in the third.

The Cougars carried a 40-31 lead into the fourth quarter. JAreduced the deficit to 6 points, 42-36, on a trey by Mandy Dace.Winborne and Mary Lindsey Magee hit back-to-back field goals and BAled 46-36.

The Raiders were forced to foul and Winborne made 5 of 6 freethrows in the final 2:44 to secure the win.

JA (27-3) had upset Leake 42-40 in Friday’s semifinals, handingthe Rebelettes their first loss in 44 games. They got 14 pointsfrom Dace, a 5-8 senior guard who fouled out with 1:04 left toplay. She also had 7 rebounds.

JA coach Jan Sojourner said she was disappointed with her team’sperformance. “We didn’t play that well. Brookhaven was really goodtoday. They have a good team.”

Wright accounted for 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the win. Mageehad 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

Coach Gray smiled with pride as he reviewed his team’s triumph.”God always has a bigger plan. This win was bigger than abasketball game. For Callie to come in and be with us this week wastremendous.”

Gray said his girls kept their composure in a stressfulsituation. “When (JA) hit us in the mouth with a 6-0 run. ThenTerah hit that three off the glass. We laughed and relaxed.”