[06/09/02]JACKSON Five hours, 3 minutes after starting, Vicksburg’s J.J. Brown finally put an end to one of the longest games in all-star history.

The Hinds Community College football and baseball signee beat out a bunt single in the top of the 17th inning, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch as the North rallied for a 12-9 win at Smith-Wills Stadium.

Brown’s only hit came after the teams played more than the equivalent of 21/2 regulation games.

“It was worth 17 innings for it to be our last game,” said Warren Central standout Joey Lieberman, who went 0-for-3 and left the game early with a sore shoulder.

“Now all I have to look forward to is being a freshman in college.”

Lieberman’s absence opened the door for Brown, normally a center fielder, to replace the Meridian Community College signee at second base. Brown, who had never played second base, also made a game-saving defensive play.

With the game tied 7-7, Brown fielded a high chopper after it got past the pitcher and first baseman. He sprinted to the bag, barely beating a South player to first.

Jacob Davis of Biloxi was coming home with the potential game-winner until Brown made the play at first and send the game into the 13th inning.

“It was kind of fun playing second base for the first time” Brown said. “They asked me if I would play second base since Joey was injured.”

Brown reentered the game in the 17th to score the game-winner. After Brown gave the North a 10-9 lead, they added two more in the inning to make it 12-9.

Warren Central’s John Morgan Mims went 2-for-6 with a two-run home run and a double.

“I was a little nervous at the start because of the coaches,” said Mims, who has yet to sign to play in college.

Rob Blackledge of Madison Central was named North MVP.

Oak Grove’s Marc Maddox earned MVP honors for the South.