JACKSON – For three-plus quarters, the Brookhaven Panthers had control of the Region 6-5A boys’ championship game Friday night in the Wingfield High Gym. It would take the final four-plus minutes of the game to see the No. 2 seed Wingfield Falcons battle back from a 17-point deficit to claim a hard-fought 53-51 win.

In the girls’ championship game, No. 1 seed Natchez blasted No. 2 seed Wingfield 79-39.

Brookhaven (21-6) will travel to Laurel (17-11) Tuesday night in the opening round of the South State 5A playoffs. Wingfield (8-16) hosts West Jones (18-10). Both games tip off at 7 p.m.

Laurel defeated West Jones 73-49 in the Region 5-5A championship game.

Midway through the third period with the game deadlocked at 27 all, Wilson saw his ball club close the quarter with a 17-5 run. Brookhaven carried a 44-32 lead into the final stanza.

Falcons head coach Herman Sanders’ team responded with a 21-7 scoring spurt in the fourth; the team was aided by nine Brookhaven turnovers and numerous misses from the charity stripe.

With 2:14 left in the game, Panther forward Darrian Wilson bagged a short basket in the game for a 51-45. Unfortunately for Wilson and his teammates, it would be their last points on the night.

“We did not protect the ball or do a good job on defense down the stretch,” said Ole Brook head coach Preston Wilson.

Brookhaven shot 43 percent (16 of 37) from the floor, and 64 percent (18 of 28) from the free throw line. Brookhaven committed 18 turnovers.

Fred Trevillion paced Ole Brook with 12 points, six rebounds and three steals. Tavis Moore tossed in 10 points. Other scorers included Khalil Newton with 8 points; Wilson had seven points; Shaquan Richardson, five points; Damarius Brooks, six; and Lazorian McNulty, three.

McNulty had five rebounds, two steals and two assists. Richardson blocked two Falcon shots. Wilson and Newton each dished out two assists.

“We played with a lot of effort and heart,” Wilson added.