JACKSON – Senior post player Anna Gatlin pumped in 16 points andpulled down seven rebounds to spark the Brookhaven Academy girls toa 53-44 win over Hillcrest Christian School Tuesday night in abattle of Cougar teams.

In varsity boys action, Brookhaven Academy fell to HillcrestChristian 50-48 in a close game decided in the final minute ofplay.

BA’s Lady Cougars, coached by Barry Gray, led 14-4 afterthe first quarter and went up 25-12 at the half.

Ancy Myers fired in 15 points, grabbed six rebounds andmade four steals for Brookhaven. Pulling down five rebounds wasLeah Davis.

Game-high scorer last night was Hillcrest Christian’sAmy McDonald with 23 points.

In the boys game, Brookhaven Academy tied the game at48-all with 27 seconds left on an assist from Jonathan Watts toChase Magee for the two points. Brookhaven was assessed a penaltyfor a personal foul and Hillcrest netted both free throws to goahead 50-48 with six seconds left.

Brookhaven’s final shot missed its mark as Hillcrestheld on for the win. The visiting Cougars overcame as much as an18-point deficit in the second half to get the chance to win thegame.

Brookhaven got a game-high 28 points and 15 reboundsfrom center Paul Coker.

“The guys did a great job,” said Brookhaven Academy headcoach Dale Watts of his 1-1 team. “We probably weren’t ready forthat kind of play. We can improve on that.”

Walker Muller paced Hillcrest with 20 points, includingfive 3-pointers.

Brookhaven Academy visits Rebul Academy Friday night atLearned. The Cougars return home Saturday to host Amite SchoolCenter for six games.

@Bbstandings:GIRLS

Brookhaven Acad. 53, Hillcrest Christian 44

Brookhaven (53) Anna Gatlin 16, Ancy Myers 15, Byrd 7,Smith 5, King 4, Williams 3, Logan 3.

Hillcrest (44) Amy McDonald 23, Anderson 4, Terry 2,Honedell 6, Banks 4, Baker 5.

Total fouls: Hillcrest 17. Brookhaven 16. Fouledout-Anderson, Baker. Technicals-None.

Free throws M-A: Brookhaven 19-35. Hillcrest11-14.

3-point goals: McDonald 2, Baker.

Brookhaven Academy

14

11

16

12 – 53

Hillcrest Christian

4

8

15

17 – 44

BOYS

Hillcrest Christian 50, Brookhaven Academy48

Brookhaven (48) Paul Coker 28, Watts 5, Winborne 2,Latham 2, Smith 3, Magee 3, Davis 4.

Hillcrest (50) Walker Muller 20, Drew Delaughter 10,King 3, Dusteson 3, Parker 4, Posey 5, Russell 1.

Total fouls: NA.

Free throws M-A: Brookhaven 3-7. Hillcrest3-7.

3-point goals: Muller 5, Smith, Watts.

Brookhaven Academy

12

13

12

11 – 48

Hillcrest Christian

18

15

15

2 – 50