One play, one second and one point.

Jefferson County High School had the final chance right on its fingertips Tuesday night, but a turnover on the last play allowed Forest to escape with a 78-77 win.

The Tigers turned over an inbound pass with one second on the clock, marking the second consecutive year the Tigers have fallen to the Bearcats in the MSHAA Class 3A playoffs.

“This is what playoffs are all about,” JCHS coach Marcus Walton said. “Every possession counts. It’s really difficult when the kids give you their all. As a coach, all you ask for is an opportunity to win in the end, and we had that.”

Forest topped JCHS last season in the second round 63-61. This year’s loss, coming in the first round, had its ups and downs.

Jefferson County was able to rally back from an 11-point deficit at the end of the third quarter, 56-45.

“We went dead,” Walton said.

The Tigers scored 32 points in the final period and pulled ahead for the first time in the game with just 2:15 minutes remaining, 68-67, after Rashard Short floated in a layup.

Short led the Tigers with 20 points on the night, and Joshua Day followed with 19.

“We had to claw our way back,” Walton said.

After continued fluctuation, Forest was called for traveling with 31 seconds remaining.

Down by two points, JCHS then completed a three-point play to jump back ahead, 77-76.

It was Keshawn Brinkley who received the assist from Day and sank the free throw to follow.

Brinkley posted 11 points during the game.

“They were resilient,” Walton said. “We weren’t worried about (the deficit) for some reason.”

Forest responded with a jumper from the wing.

Jefferson County was then whistled its own traveling call on the ensuing possesion, and the Bearcats were given the inbound with just one second left.

Forest turned it back over after its inbound pass hit the rafter.

“It doesn’t come down to one play,” Walton said. “There’s not much you can do with one second, but catch and shoot. Unfortunately, we were unable to get (the shot.)”

The Tigers end their season at 13-12, and will lose just one senior in Nico Griffin.

Griffin posted 13 points as a closing effort.

“We have worked so hard,” Griffin said. “We believed in ourselves and our coach. I’m going to miss it.”