CLINTON — Rising to the occasion, Jackson Academy’s Raidersplayed ruthless defense Saturday night and overwhelmed theBrookhaven Academy Cougars 54-35 in the championship finals of theMPSA Overall Tournament. A near-capacity crowd of 3,500 watched theRaiders use their aggressive style to claim the coveted crown thathad escaped them last year in an overtime loss to Madison-RidgelandAcademy.

JA head coach Bill Ball used a relentless rotation of strongplayers to wear down the Cougars. His nine seniors provided plentyof leadership.

“Our depth of nine seniors was huge,” said Ball. “As a senior,you have a sense of urgency to play hard. Last year we lost inovertime after winning it the year before.”

The Raiders (33-5) would not be denied. They held the Cougars toa season-low offensive production. They claimed a 24-9 halftimelead in hard-hitting physical struggle.

“We got into a body-banging contest and we didn’t have enoughbodies,” said Brookhaven Academy coach Dale Watts. “It was a realphysical game and we couldn’t get our shots.”

Watts complimented the Raiders. “We got beat by a great team.Our depth and size were no match for them.

“I hate to admit it, but we were kind of worn down,” Wattscontinued. “We had a great season and I’m proud of our kids.”

Watts loses four senior starters to graduation. The quartetcombined for just 17 points last night. Junior guard T-Boy Lynchled the Cougars with 10 points.

The Cougars (36-2) had won an overtime thriller Tuesday nightagainst Jackson Prep in their first overall test after winning theClass AA state title a week earlier. In Friday night’s semifinals,they had pulled out a last-second win over top-rankedMadison-Ridgeland Academy.

Ball said his team’s depth and talent were abundant. “Most ofthese kids on my team are good enough to start for other schools.They are willing to sacrifice playing time to be on this team.”

Ball praised his team’s defense. “Last night our opponent(Delta) only had 10 points at halftime. Tonight we held Brookhavento nine. That’s three nights we have guarded tremendouslywell.”

Applying man-to-man, full-court pressure, the Raiders assertedthemselves in the early going. Joe Greenlee, a 6-foot-5 seniorcenter, dominated the paint. The Raiders increased an 8-7 lead to24-9 with an impressive second quarter, outrebounding the Cougars5-1.

The Cougars took their only lead of the second quarter at 9-8 on2 free throws by Lynch, his team’s only points in the second frame.JA’s Rob Puckett drained a trey and the Raiders led 13-9.

Corban Brand, a 6-3 forward, hit a pair of jumpers during JA’s16-2 surge.

Brookhaven was outrebounded 31-11. Seth Davis led the Cougarswith 4 rebounds. Brand and Greenlee had 6 boards apiece for JA.

The Cougars were slowed by 21 turnovers. JA had 15 turnovers butmade 44 percent of its field goals. BA shot 35 percent from thefield.

Davis, Lynch and Jeremy Winborne represented BA on theAll-Tournament Team.

Prep Wins Girls Title

Jackson Prep defeated JA 52-42 for the girls championship.