East Rankin Academy’s Lady Patriots caught fire in the fourthquarter, outrebounded Brookhaven Academy by a large margin andcoasted to a 53-44 Monday night victory in John R. Gray Gymnasium.They were directed by guard Jamey Taylor’s 15 points and AllisonTaylor’s 14.

“When East Rankin came out of their press, they hurt us,” saidBA girls coach Barry Gray. “We had to earn every basket.”

Gray’s girls had carried a 19-12 lead into the second quarterand were up 33-27 at halftime. The Patriots took control in thefourth quarter, going on a 16-2 scoring surge when Gray’s Cougarsonly managed 2 points on a pair of fire throws by Kelli Snider.

“I was proud of our girls’ effort,” said Gray. “But you can’tmake 33 percent of your free throws, make 23 turnovers, getoutrebounded by 10 and expect to win.”

The Patriots (9-1), their only loss to Jackson Prep, went up43-42 on Jamey Taylor’s jumper from the lane with 5:31 left toplay. Hannah Watts and Kelli Brady fouled out in the fourth frameand the Patriots outrebounded BA 8-1 the rest of the game.

Allison Taylor collected 14 rebounds for the Patriots who arecoached by Ronny Rogers.

The Lady Cougars (6-3) were paced by playmaker Betsy Lynch’s 14points. Senior guard Maddie Allen added 13 points.

On the backboards, Kelli Brady had 8 rebounds and Watts had 6.Lynch made 2 assists and 2 steals.

Junior High Results

East Rankin smoked Brookhaven 49-24 in the junior high girlsgame, led by Brooke Rhodes with 17 points. Rachel Knight added 12points.

Brookhaven (6-1) got 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals fromDrew Holland Tigner.