LEXINGTON - Brooks coach Ryan Roberson had an apt description playing against the pressure defense of Lauderdale County.

“It’s like playing against seven kids on the court when you’re playing against them,” Roberson said. “They are just so quick and long.”

Lauderdale County cruised to a 57-37 over Brooks to advance to the semifinals against Lexington.

“We played really, really well on defense,” Lauderdale County coach Brant Llewellyn said. “That really was the difference in the game.”

Brooks tried to slow the tempo way down in the first quarter and turn it into a half-court game.

Lauderdale County held Wilson to 12 points in the first half

“We probably did the best job we’ve done of breaking the press, we just didn’t convert on our opportunities,” Roberson said. “We wanted to slow the pace and pass it around until we got it into our post players. We did get some good looks, but we just couldn’t convert.”

Llewellyn said he was pleased with his team’s defensive adjustment to the slow pace.

“They were real patient on offense and I thought we did a good job of handling that and not getting impatient,” Llewellyn said. “Ryan does a really good job with that Brooks team and it’s always a good feeling to move on in the tournament.”

Emma Wallen led Lauderdale County with 17 points while Chatara Cox had 16, despite neither of them playing in the fourth quarter. Erin Jewell led Brooks with 16 points while Deanna Thompson had 10.

n Mars Hill 57, Wilson 29: Mars Hill overcame the absence of Anna Katherine Green to beat Wilson to advance to the tournament semifinals against Central.

Green has missed two games with an ankle injury, but coach Ashley Rutledge said the team is learning to adjust to her absence.

“She is probably the quickest player in the area, and she brings he defensive effort and a shooting touch,” Rutledge said. “The other girls have picked it up and filled in her space. This is our second game without her and tonight we had a better effort on defense from our other girls.”

Mars Hill led 11-6 lead after one quarter but outscored Wilson 35-16 over the second and third quarters.

“We’re going to have to get off to a faster start on Thursday if we want to continue in the tournament,” Rutledge said. “But we’re consistent on defense. We came out and played real hard on defense from the beginning.”

Mary Brooke Willis led Mars Hill with 16 while Carley Harrison had 12 for the Panthers. Wilson’s Ciarra Edwards led all scorers with 20 points.