GRENADA – Dakota Daley and Brad Bennett pumped in 17 points each to lead the Marshall Academy Patriots in a 64-50 Saturday night victory against the Brookhaven Academy Cougars in the MAIS Class AA State Tournament at Kirk Academy. It was the second straight state title for the Patriots.

     In the consolation girls game Saturday, Brookhaven Academy’s girls whipped Simpson Academy 41-23, sparked by senior guard Terah Winborne’s 16 points.

     Both Brookhaven Academy teams advance to this week’s Overall Tournament at Mississippi College in Clinton. The BA girls (32-7) will play Jackson Prep’s Lady Patriots at 2:30 Monday in A.E. Wood Coliseum. Prep is the No. 3 AAA team. The Lady Cougars have beaten them twice during the regular season.

     The BA boys (32-4) are scheduled to play the AAA champion, either Jackson Prep or Hillcrest, on Tuesday or Wednesday night.

     Leake’s girls won their seventh straight state title by defeating Bowling Green Saturday in the championship finals.

Marshall 64, BA Boys 50

     The Cougars got 14 points and 8 rebounds from Brock Smith. Bubba Keene had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Gage Posey had 5 boards. Matthew Evans made 2 steals.

     “Our guys did a good job and stayed in the game,” said BA coach Dale Watts. “We were down one (point) at halftime. Then we made some mental mistakes. We missed several shots we should have made inside.”

     The Cougars battled Marshall through the first half and trailed 28-27 at halftime. The Patriots caught fired and outscored BA 18-7 in the third quarter to lead 46-34.

     “Marshall really did a good job and they shot the ball well,” Watts added. “They were down but then they exploded. They hit some big baskets.”

 

BA Girls 41, Simpson 23

     Ten rebounds apiece by Mary Jordan and Carey Crozier carried the Lady Cougars on the backboards. Laura Beth Wright had 8 boards and Winborne 6.,

     Winborne also had 5 steals. Wright had 3 assists. Crozier blocked 2 shots.

     “We didn’t have both big girls when we played them last time,” said BA coach Ginger Duease. “We went to a high low set and that got our shooters open.”

     Wright and Winborne were named to the All-State Tournament Team.

     “We played good all week,” said Duease. “We played well enough to win yesterday,” referring to her team’s 35-32 semifinals loss to Bowling Green. “Our defense has really stepped up this week.”

     Duease’s girls held Simpson scoreless in the fourth quarter. Twelve points by August Knight led Simpson in scoring.