Marshall ends Brookhaven’s run
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
There was chest-to-chest man defense and a spread offense in the last of two semi-final games at Brookhaven last night but the squad executing that defense and offense was the Marshall Patriots who ended Brookhaven’s six year consecutive Class AA State Championship run with an impressive 57-41 win to advance to today’s title game with Simpson.
Marshall’s relentless pressure defense kept Brookhaven from achieving any rhythm offensively throughout last night’s matchup and a patient and opportunistic offense propelled Marshall to their biggest win since winning the Class State Championship in 2002.
The lead swapped hands three times in the first 3 and 1/2 minutes of the opening quarter. Brookhaven grabbed an early 3-2 lead on a Sidney Chaffin slam dunk off a fast break and then again at 5-4 at the 5:12 mark when Gage Posey converted on a back-door lay-in.
Marshall started to settle in as did their defense. Taylor Maurey’s driving basket at the 4:47 mark gave Marshall a 6-5 lead, one they would not relinquish the remainder of the game.
With 4:02 remaining in the opening quarter and Marshall holding a slim 8-7 lead the Patriot’s offense starting hitting on all cylinders.
Dakota Dailey, an 8th grader, sparked Marshall with a quick 3-pointer from the wing after entering the game at the three minute mark. Following a Brookhaven turnover in the backcourt Dailey nailed another 3-pointer from the wing to extend Marshall’s lead to 14-7 with 2:37 remaining in the quarter. Marshall sophomore Peyton Lewis would can a 3-pointer with 1:48 left in the first quarter to give Marshall an 18-9 lead and the Patriots would capitalize on a Cougar turnover when Taylor Maurey drove the lane and cashed in to give Marshall their biggest lead at 20-9 and cap off a 12-2 run.
Brock Smith hit two free throws to close out the opening quarter with Marshall holding a 20-11 advantage. 
Marshall continued their assault to start the second quarter. Peyton Lewis sank his second 3-pointer one minute into the quarter to give the Patriots a 23-11 lead and forcing a Brookhaven time-out.
Brookhaven would manage a Sidney Chaffin free throw at the 6:01 mark but after each team traded turnovers Marshall spread the court at the 5:39 mark and burned over three minutes before a turnover gave possession back to Brookhaven with 2:17 left in the half.
Unable to capitalize on the Marshall turnover, Brookhaven saw their deficit grow to sixteen points as Taylor Maurey sank two free throws and Dakota Dailey hit his third 3-pointer of the half to send Marshall into the locker-room holding a shocking 28-12 lead.
Peyton Lewis pushed the lead to 30-12 on Marshall’s first possession of the third quarter as the sophomore converted in the paint.
With 5:58 remaining in the quarter Brookhaven finally found rhythm on offense. Sidney Chaffin’s offensive rebound and put back started a 9-2 Cougar run that trimmed the deficit to 32-21 with 1:56 left in the quarter.
Gage Posey hit a 3-pointer from the corner to pull the Cougars to within ten points at 34-24 but a Kevin Fitzpatrick offensive rebound and put back closed the third quarter with Marshall holding a 36-24 lead. 
Marshall made a strong push to put the game away to start the final quarter. Kevin Fitzpatrick hit two free throws and scored a basket in the paint and Peyton Lewis hit one of two free throws to give the Patriots a 41-24 spread at the 6:56 mark.
Brookhaven managed to get to within ten points at 45-35 on a Gage Posey basket with 2:43 remaining in regulation but Marshall would hit on 10/12 free throws down the stretch to salt away the game and advance to the Class AA State Championship game with a 57-41 win.
Marshall, ranked #2 by Southern Sports & Travel, improved to 30-7 and will play Simpson tonight at 7:15 pm in the state title game.
The Patriots were led by Dakota Dailey who had a game high 17 points, Taylor Maurey added 14, Peyton Lewis 13, Kevin Fitzpatrick 10 and Chase Ferrell 3.
Brookhaven finishes a remarkable six year run with a season mark of 17-11. The Cougars will play West Memphis in the consolation game today at 6:00 pm.
Sidney Chaffin and Gage Posey led Brookhaven with 13 points each, Will Hickman added 8 and Brock Smith 7.
Post Game Comments: Marshall Head Coach Craig Dailey
