Brookhaven Academy’s girls hustled and played defense but they couldn’t consistently score Tuesday night in the MAIS Class AA South State Tournament in John R. Gray Gymnasium. By comparison, Simpson Academy dominated the backboards, overcame horrible free throw shooting and eliminated the BA Lady Cougars 47-39, ending their season.

Simpson (27-9) advances to Thursday’s quarterfinals and tackles District 6 No. 2 seed Silliman Institute at 5:30. ACCS also advances to Thursday after smashing Sylva Bay 65-28 yesterday. ACCS meets the No. 1-seeded Bowling Green girls at 5:15.

In Tuesday’s boys action, Sylva Bay beat Silliman 50-42 and Laurel Christian eliminated Columbia Academy 61-54. Sylva Bay faces No. 1 seed Brookhaven Academy Thursday at 6:30. Laurel Christian tackles Bowling Green at 7:45.

Four quarterfinals games are scheduled today. In the girls bracket, Central Private plays Columbia Academy at 4 p.m. and Lamar meets Oak Forest at 6:30. In the boys bracket, Trinity Episcopal plays Central Private at 5:15 and Simpson meets Oak Forest at 7:45.

The BA girls (9-21) missed their first 7 field goal attempts of the game before junior guard Madison Warren cashed in a steal with 3:33 showing. Simpson was ice cold from the free throw line, making just 1 of 6 in the first quarter and 12 of 31 for the game.

BA first-year coach Bruce Allsup said he was proud of his team’s effort. They were encouraged by a loud and enthusiastic student body seated just behind the home team’s bench.

“Simpson beat us on the boards and we missed some chances to score,” said Allsup. “Our effort was great. I think this should give us some confidence for next year.”

Allsup doesn’t have a senior on his roster.

Warren, a 5-foot-5 junior, tossed in 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds last night. Sophomore guard Hillary Wilson led BA with 18 points, sacking a season-best 5 treys.

On the boards, Mary Claire White had 5 rebounds. Her team had 10 turnovers. They were minus junior post Anna Carolla who was on crutches last night. Carolla, the team’s leading rebounder, sustained a torn ACL in the Hillcrest game two weeks ago. .

Simpson coach Dave Granville said he felt fortunate to escape BA’s upset bid after beating them twice during the regular season. “We got outplayed. Bruce does a good job with them. We were lucky to beat them. Brookhaven Academy had momentum on their home floor.”

Granville’s team reached the Final Four last season. They are strong on the backboards. Meagan Griffith grabbed 16 rebounds and Brittany Gardner 14 as Simpson outrebounded the hosts 45-28. That advantage helped overcome 15 turnovers.

Offensively, Lauren Griffin sacked 13 points for Simpson. Abby Dunston added 11 points and Gardner 10.

Simpson expanded a 27-21 halftime lead to 10 points, 31-21, with 5:23 left in the third quarter. A trey by Wilson cut the deficit to 33-30 at the start of the final frame.

ACCS 65, Sylva Bay 28

Fourteen points by Skylar Adams and 13 by Ashley Williams powered ACCS past Sylva Bay.

Sylva Bay 50, Silliman 42

Michael Ducksworth pumped in 23 points to lead Sylva Bay’s win. Grant Nyguard added 10 points.

Silliman got 14 points from Dexter Moody and 12 from Williams Aucoin.

Laurel 61, Columbia 54

The Lions got a tournament-high 29 points from Jeremiah Marcellino in a strong second half comeback. Ryan Stewart chipped in 16 points and Josh Walters 13.

Columbia got 20 points from Logan Cook. C.J. Martin and P.J. Hammond each scored 10 points.