Carroll Academy’s post-season basketball run finally came to an end last week and it took the eventual Class AA state champions to do it.
Homestanding Brookhaven Academy broke open a tie game at the half and took a 47-39 win over Carroll Academy in the opening round of the Class AA state tournament last week.
The Lady Rebels finished with a 17-14 record with four of those losses coming to Marshall, who lost to Brookhaven in the title game.
“I am really proud of them,” Carroll coach Sherry Fulton said. “They are a good group. They work hard and fought all year long. They give it everything they have. I couldn’t ask for more out of them. A lot of people didn’t think we would make it to this point of the season. But they set their goal to make it to the state tournament and accomplished it. They wanted to be in the state tournament and worked hard to be thee. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Brookhaven jumped out to a 15-8 lead in the contest before Carroll stormed back in the second period and outscored the Lady Cougars 11-4 to tie the game at 19-19 at the half. Brookhaven then took control of the game in the third period as they outscored Carroll 11-3 to take a 30-23 lead. Both teams scored 17 points in the fourth for the final margin.
Sandy Rhea Tackett led Carroll with 13 points and seven rebounds. Caroline Mumme had 11 points and three steals.
“We’ve only got two seniors and have a good group of girls coming back,” Fulton said. “I think we will have a good group coming back. Lanie Claire Dunn came in and played hard and very physical in the North Half. Mary Jordan Milton will be a strong player for us next year. We are going to be OK.”
Mumme was also recently named to the MAIS All-Star basketball game which will be played on March 9. Fulton will be an assistant on the team. Mumme averaged 19.1 points, six rebounds and six steals a game for the Lady Rebels.
“It’s a special deal for her,” Fulton said. “I have had her since she was in the ninth grade. She’s a special player and I get to go to Jackson and enjoy the game. This is a fun game with no pressure. I’m excited for her and she certainly deserves it.”
