The Brookhaven boys and the McComb girls are the defendingchampions in the Brookhaven/Coca-Cola Invitational Tournament thatbegins Wednesday and continues through Saturday night in SinclairGymnasium.

The host Panthers, coached by Preston Wilson, are 19-4 followinga key 68-66 win over Lawrence County in overtime. Brookhavenwhipped Crystal Springs 82-68 in last year’s championship game.

The Lady Panthers, coached by Ronald Gill, are 11-7 on theseasno.

McComb coach Carolyn Whitehead’s Lady Tiger team was ranked No.5 in the Associated Press Mississippi High School Prep Poll lastweek. McComb (17-2) got past Crystal Springs 65-62 in last year’stitle game.

Other boys and girls teams participating in the tournament areCrystal Springs, Hazlehurst, Loyd Star and Bogue Chitto.

Wednesday night’s opening games features the Hazlehurst girlsvs. McComb at 5 p.m., the Loyd Star boys vs. McComb at 6:30 and theBogue Chitto girls vs. Loyd Star at 8.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S GAMES

5:00, Game 1 – Girls, Hazlehurst vs. McComb

6:30, Game 2 – Boys, Loyd Star vs. McComb

8:00, Game 3 – Girls, Bogue Chitto vs. Loyd Star

THURSDAY NIGHT’S GAMES

5:00, Game 4 – Girls, Game 1 loser vs. Game 3 loser

6:30, Game 5 – Boys, Bogue Chitto vs. Hazlehurst

8:00, Game 6 – Girls, Game 3 winner vs. Brookhaven

FRIDAY NIGHT’S GAMES

4:00, Game 7 – Boys, Game 2 loser vs. Game 5 loser

5:30, Game 8 – Girls, Game 1 winner vs. Crystal Springs

7:00, Game 9 – Boys, Game 2 winner vs. Crystal Springs

8:30, Game 10 – Boys, Game 5 winner vs. Brookhaven

SATURDAY NIGHT’S GAMES

4:00, Game 11 – Girls, Game 6 loser vs. Game 8 loser

5:30, Game 12 – Boys, Game 9 loser vs. Game 10 loser

7:00, Game 13 – Girls, Game 6 winner vs. Game 8 winner

8:30, Game 14 – Boys, Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner