Balanced scoring from the perimeter and a strong inside gamepowered the Brookhaven Panthers to a 66-48 Tuesday night victoryover the visiting Jackson Bailey Knights in Sinclair Gymnasium.Guards Brandon Caston, Fred Mackabee and Lazeric Perkins scored 14,13 and 12 points respectively in the triumph.

In the varsity girls game, Brookhaven got 9 points from ShamekaGilmore, Ayana Tillman and Chiquita Rancifer as the Lady Pantherspounded Bailey 60-29.

Brookhaven resumes play Friday night at McComb. A junior varsitygirls game starts the tripleheader at 5 p.m.

The Panthers (5-1) got a game-high 6 reboundsfrom Perkins. Mackabee contributed 6 assists and 3 steals.

Bailey (4-4) made a brief run at the Panthers in the secondhalf, reducing a 10-point deficit to 6 points, 44-38. Brookhavenresponded with a short jumper from Mackabee and a corner trey fromCaston to kick the lead back to 11 points, 49-38, entering thefourth quarter.

The Knights produced one more challenge when Demetrius Simmonssank a layup, cutting the deficit to 7 points, 49-42. Coach DanPresley called a timeout to settle his team and the Panthers got acorner trey from Mackabee and a layup from Caston. Mackabeeprovided a thunder dunk for a 10-point, 56-46 advantage.

Presley was pleased with his team’s performance. “I liked ourbalanced scoring. This team is unselfish.

“We did a good job defensively,” Presley added. “Bailey has somegood shooters and we stayed in their eyes. Our big men (Lamar Halland Rayshone Autman) hit the boards.”

Bailey, coached by former Southern Miss standout DarrinChancellor, couldn’t contend with Brookhaven on the backboards. “Mytwo inside players (Nate Williams and 6-6 John Toor) are ninthgraders,” said Chancellor.

Chancellor, a 1987 Jackson Callaway graduate, played on USM’sNIT championship team. This is his fifth year as Bailey’s headcoach.

The Knights got a game-high 16 points from guard GanceBennett.

The Lady Panthers (5-1) got 7 rebounds from Tillman andthey cruised to a 27-14 halftime lead. Playmaker Aneidra Stantonchipped in 4 steals and 3 assists.

Brookhaven girls coach Ronald Gill said h is team wasstill sluggish from the Thanksgiving holidays. “Everybody got toplay tonight and that was good.”

Rancifer got the Lady Panthers off to a fast start inthe second half, sacking back-to-back treys. Guard Ronnye Gill sanka put back and Anna Autman scored from the paint on an inboundsplay, making it a 20-point bulge, 37-17 with 3:58showing.

The Lady Knights got a game-high 12 points from EricaPorter. They made just 5 of 22 free throw attempts.

@Bbstandings:GIRLS

Brookhaven 60, Bailey 29

Bailey (29) Erica Porter 12, Parker 2, Washington 7, D.Smith 3, A. Smith 5.

Brookhaven (60) Talita Dixon 9, Chiquita Rancifer 9,Shameka Gilmore 9, Ayana Tillman 9, Stanton 4, Vinson 1, Gill 5,Autman 5, Edwards 2, Watkins 3, Bateman 2, Kerr 2.

Total fouls: Bailey 19. Brookhaven 21. Fouledout-none.

Free Throws M-A: Bailey 5-22. Brookhaven10-29.

3-point goals: Rancifer 3, Smith, Gill, Tillman,Watkins, Washington.

Bailey

9

5

8

7 – 29

Brookhaven

13

14

19

14 – 60

BOYS

Brookhaven 66, Bailey 48

Bailey (48) Gance Bennett 16, Lewis 8, Smith 6, Daniels6, Sullivan 8, Simmons 4, McLaurin 5.

Brookhaven (66) Brandon Caston 14, Dickey 2, Middleton2, Levi 2, Mackabee 13, Allen 8, Richardson 2, Flintroy 2, Culver2, Autman 2, Perkins 12, Hall 7.

Total fouls: Bailey 10. Brookhaven 15. Fouledout-Smith.

Free Throws M-A: Bailey 6-7. Brookhaven10-16.

3-point goals: Mackabee 2, Allen 2, Caston 2, Smith 2,Perkins, McLaurin, Sullivan, Perkins.

Bailey

10

16

12

10 – 48

Brookhaven

18

18

13

17 – 66