For the second time in as many games, Brookhaven point guardBrandon Caston took matters into his own hands. On Thursday nightat the Sinclair Gymnasium, Caston nailed a long trey as the finalbuzzer sounded to give the Panthers a hard-fought, nail-biting51-48 win over the Natchez Bulldogs.

Lady Bulldog Gloria Lewis tossed in 8 of her game-high 18 pointsin the first period, to lead Natchez to a 42-36 win over theBrookhaven Lady Panthers.

Natchez defeated Brookhaven 48-37 in the JV boys game.

Brookhaven’s game with Bogue Chitto that was scheduled fortonight has been canceled. The Panthers and Lady Panthers hostFranklin County Saturday for 2 games. The varsity girls tips off at6 p.m., followed by the varsity boys game at 7:30.

The Panthers (4-0) were in a dogfight from start to finish. TheBulldogs tenacious defense gave Brookhaven fits throughout the32-minute gala. Caston, a 5-foot-9 senior, delivered a clutchbasket to bring home a win for Brookhaven.

Brookhaven head coach Ronald Hines called his final timeout with1.8 seconds left on the clock, with the inbounds play coming justabove the midcourt stripe.

“Dexter, coming off a back screen, was to get the ball toBrandon, who coming off a double screen,” said Hines.

Caston received the inbounds pass in front of the scorer’stable. He took about 4 dribbles, then launched the game-winningtrey as time expired. The ball hit nothing but the bottom of thenet, which ignited a jubilant celebration by Panther faithful.

Natchez, coached by Mike Martin, led throughout the first 42minutes of the game. The Bulldogs led 14-10 after one period ofplay and 26-19 at the intermission. Martin’s ballclub held an11-point, 34-23 lead, midway through the third quarter; beforeBrookhaven mounted a furious comeback.

Panther Lamar Hall scored 8 points in the third to bring histeammates to within 4, 44-40, entering the final frame. Hallfinished with a team-high 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Brookhaven entertained their first lead of the game 46-44 with5:20 left on the clock.

Natchez reclaimed the lead briefly at 48-46 on a basket byCharles Cothern. Lamar Hall tied the game at 48-48 on a shortjumper and then both teams went scoreless for almost 5 minutes.

The Bulldogs committed 2 costly turnovers in the final 20seconds that would eventually give Caston a chance to shoot thefinal basket.

Caston provided support for the Panthers with 11 points, 3steals and 4 assists. Jasper Hall contributed 7 points, 7 rebounds,2 steals and 5 assists.

Natchez got a game-high 20 points from Derrick Martin, followedby Brian Williams with 16.

“Anytime you beat 5A competition, it is a big win,” addedHines.

The Lady Panthers (2-2) led 12-10 after one period of play.Seniors Ayana Tillman, Aneidra Stanton and Shameka Gilmore tossedin 4 points apiece for Brookhaven head coach Billy Holmes.

Natchez, coached by Mary Irving and Sue Johnson, held the LadyPanther scoreless for nearly 7 minutes to take a 20-18 into thehalftime lockerroom. Brookhaven ended the drought with baskets byAnna Autman, Tiffany Watkins and Latoria Kerr in the final 46seconds of the first half.

“We didn’t play well defensively,” said Holmes. “We didn’t do agood job shooting free throws.”

Brookhaven was 16-for-29 from the charity stripe for a 55percent clip. The Lady Panthers gave up 22 points to Natchez off ofturnovers.

“Holmes’s ballclub cut their deficit to 4, 33-29 on a free throwby Autman. That would as be as close as Brookhaven would get.

Tillman led the Lady Panther with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 2blocked shots. Stanton followed with 10 points. Autman pulled down9 rebounds.

In the JV boys game, Micah Tanner ledBrookhaven with 12 points. Natchez got 14 points from GregPurnell.