Brookhaven Academy’s Lady Cougars made an impressive march totheir Holiday Invitational Tournament championship. They whippedfour challengers and beat the Copiah Academy Lady Colonels 57-37 inSaturday night’s title game, sparked by senior guard Amy Smith’s 16points.

The Lady Cougars raised their record to 21-1 on the season.

They sprang to a 20-5, first-quarter lead over the Lady Colonelsand were never seriously challenged.

Brookhaven Academy head coach Barry Gray said he was pleasedwith his team’s performance against Copiah. “We beat a strong,quality team tonight. They should be in the final three,” in SouthState Class AAA.

Gray praised the Lady Cougars’ overall performance, especiallyon defense. “Our defense was really good. We did a good job ontheir low post (Bethany Harris). She scored 15 Friday night,” inthe semifinals win over Mt. Olive, La., but went scoreless Saturdaynight.

“Our younger players did a good job. Every time I made asubstitution, something good happened,” Gray continued. “We did agood job on the offensive glass.”

Ancy Myers came off the bench and hustled for 10 rebounds and 8points against Copiah. Playmaker Katie Newman chipped in 11 points,5 assists and 4 steals. Lindsey Phillips added 10 points. Smithmade 5 assists and 4 steals.

Newman sacked a layup as the first quarter ended. It was 28-16at halftime as Copiah point guard Candace Clayton and forwardAshley Garner directed a brief comeback. Garner finished with 14points and Clayton netted 10.

The Lady Colonels made their strongest challenge in the thirdquarter. Garner hit a short jumper, reducing Brookhaven’s lead to 9points, 35-26.

Igniting a strong response, the Lady Cougars got a trey fromSmith, a 12-foot jumper from Newman in the paint and a putback bysophomore center Anna L. Gatlin. That gave the hosts a 42-26advantage starting the final frame.

Smith sacked an 18-footer and the Lady Cougars led by 20 points,51-31, with 3:12 left to play. It was all over except forsubstitutions.

Brookhaven Academy resumes play Jan. 4, hosting CentrevilleAcademy for four games. The Jan. 6 date with Prentiss ChristianSchool has been moved to Prentiss.

Brookhaven Academy 57, Copiah Academy 37

Copiah (37) Ashley Garner 14, Clayton 10, Price 4, Duke3, Thornhill 4.

Brookhaven (57) Amy Smith 16, Altman 8, A.K. Gatlin 1,Newman 11, Phillips 10, A.L. Gatlin 2, Myers 8.

Total fouls: Copiah 20. Brookhaven 12. Fouledout-none.

Free Throws M-A: Copiah 1-5. Brookhaven16-26.

3-point goals: Clayton 2, Smith 2.

Copiah Academy 5 11 10 11 -37

Brookhaven Acad. 20 8 14 15 -57