The 2006 postseason was a short one for Marengo Academy basketball, as both varsity teams came up short in their opening games of the AISA Class AA West Area III tournament, held last weekend at Patrician Academy in Butler.

The Marengo boys entered the four-team tournament as the second seed and was matched up with third-seeded South Choctaw, who the Longhorns had defeated twice during the regular season on their way to a 4-2 area record.

After falling behind 23-22 at halftime, the ‘Horns played stellar defense in the third quarter, holding the Rebels to only 5 points and taking what appeared to be a commanding lead, 36-28, headed into the final period.

But that defense fell apart in the fourth quarter as the Rebels scored 23 points to the ‘Horns’ 11, giving them the upset 51-47 and ending the Longhorns’ season.

Three Marengo players finished the game in double figures: Jacob Harris with 14, Trey Rowell with 13, and Kyle Stephens with 10. Rounding out the Marengo scoring were Randy Martin with 7 points, Josh Dunn with 2, and Thomas Fultz with 1.

The fourth-seeded Lady ‘Horns faced an uphill battle, taking on the top-seeded and AISA No. 8-ranked Patrician Lady Saints on their own floor. Marengo hung tough in the first quarter and trailed by five, 15-10, entering the second period.

But Patrician flexed their muscle in the second quarter, outscoring the Lady ‘Horns 17-5, and pulled away for a 62-24 victory.

Abbey Huckabee and Tina Allen shared high-scoring honors for Marengo with 7 points each. They were followed by Sydney Broadaway with 4, Amber Walker with 4, and Elizabeth Carlton with 2.

Livingston girls 56, Choctaw County 49

The fourth-seeded Livingston Lady Cougars won the opening-round game of the 4A Area 5 tournament Monday night in Demopolis, turning away a second-half rally by the fifth-seeded Choctaw County Lady Tigers to advance to Thursday’s semifinals.

Lady Cougar leading scorer Shanika Maye scored 28 points, a full half of Livingston’s total, to lead all scorers.

Livingston led 16-10 after the first quarter and 29-22 at halftime, but Choctaw roared back in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Cougars 15-8 to tie the game at 37 entering the final period. In the end, though, Maye and Livingston were too much for the visitors from Butler and won going away.

Maye was joined in double figures by Vanquacious Otis, who scored 14 points. She was followed by Brittany Washington, who scored 8, Consuela Rice with 4, and Sherita Dungian with 2.

Livingston advances to face top-seeded and seventh-ranked Demopolis in the Area 5 semifinals when the tournament resumes Thursday in Demopolis.

Coffeeville girls 54, Sweet Water 49

The fifth-seeded Coffeeville Lady Panthers won the opening round game of the 1A Area 2 tournament Monday night at A.L. Johnson, defeating fourth-seeded Sweet Water by five.

They won despite an impressive performance by Sweet Water’s Brittany Brack, who finished with 24 points in her team’s final performance of the season.

Coffeeville will take on top seed and tournament host A.L. Johnson Thursday night.