Columbia jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on two baskets from guard Tanner Pace and a Christian Robbins turnaround jumper in the paint. Brookhaven got on the board halfway through the quarter when Jamison Powell drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Columbia looked primed to push the issue as they controlled the first quarter with forced turnovers and hot shooting. Cole Oglesbee hit a 17 foot jumper with 49 seconds left in the quarter that put Columbia on top 12-7 but true to form Brookhaven closed the quarter strong as Sidney Chaffin hit a 3-pointer from the wing and sophomore Brennan Miller did the same as the first quarter ended with Columbia holding a slim 16-15 lead.
(Above) Sidney Chaffin (#23) of Brookhaven gets a shot over Columbia's Taylor Fortenberry
Miller gave Brookhaven their first lead of the night at 18-16 when he connected on another 3-pointer one minute into the second quarter. Columbia answered with a Jas Stringer jump hook and Christian Robbins pulled down an offensive rebound and scored to push Columbia back on top 20-18 at the 5:39 mark. Jake Reed’s patented jump hook with four minutes left in the half gave Brookhaven their biggest lead at 24-20 but neither squad could get breathing room. Columbia ended the half on Tanner Pace’s 17 footer at the horn to tie the game at 27-27.
Brookhaven came out of halftime on fire and scored the first five points en-route to a 13-3 run that gave the Cougars their biggest lead of the night at 40-30 with 4:34 left in the third quarter. Drew Broome scored off an inbounds pass to get Columbia back to within single digits at 40-32 but Brookhaven closed out the quarter with two consecutive baskets from Jake Reed for a 44-32 lead heading into the final quarter of play. 
(Above) Jake Reed of Brookhaven had a game high 18 pts
Bubba Keene came up with consecutive steals and lay-ins that put Brookhaven up 50-34 with 5:07 remaining in the game and Columbia could get no closer.
Jake Reed led Brookhaven with 18 points, Jamison Powell and Brennan Miller had 8 each, Sidney Chaffin added 7, Brock Smith 5, Bubba Keene 4 and Austin Smith and Will Hickman 2 apiece.
Tanner Pace led Columbia with 11 points, Drew Broome added 9, four players chipped in with 4 points; Christian Robbins, Brooks Robinson, Cole Oglesbee and Taylor Fortenberry and Jas Stringer 2.
(Above) Brookhaven's Bubba Keene (#5) spots up for a 3-pointer
Brookhaven’s 54-38 win advances them to the South AA State finals where they’ll take on Bowling Green for the fifth time this season. The last encounter was last week’s district tournament title game in which Brookhaven won 49-47.
Columbia falls to 19-10 and will play Centreville in an elimination game this evening.
BA…15…12…17…10…54
CA…16…11….5….6….38
