Brookhaven’s Lady Panthers produced a ferocious defense Fridaynight and overwhelmed Bogue Chitto’s Lady Bobcats 55-37 in SinclairGymnasium. The Lady Panthers also got a game-high 19 points fromjunior post Ayana Tillman.

“We did a good job defensively,” said Brookhaven head coachRonald Gill. “We made some little shots but we have got to getbetter at our free throws,” pointing to his team’s 6-for-17 showingat the charity stripe.

Gill said junior forward Shamika Gilmore was a force on thebackboards for Brookhaven, grabbing 7 rebounds. “Gilmore hit theoffensive boards for us.”

Tillman also had 7 rebounds. She and Chiquita Rancifer bothstepped outside the arch to hit 3 treys apiece.

Brookhaven (10-1) outrebounded the Lady Bobcats 16-6 in thefirst half and led 34-16. Tillman had 10 of her points at halftimeand playmaker Aneidra Stanton had all 9 of hers.

Bogue Chitto (8-2) shot the ball poorly and was unable to findthe right combination. Center Yolanda Drummond led Bogue Chittowith 12 points and 8 steals. Marquita Ratcliff chipped in 11 pointsand 6 rebounds. Jessica Melton had 5 steals and Randi Moak had 4assists before fouling out with 1 minute left in the game.

“Brookhaven has a good team,” said Bogue Chitto coach MickeyMyers. “They have the caliber team we need to be playing.”

Last season Myers coached his Lady Bobcats to the semifinals ofthe Class 1A state tournament. He had four starters returning fromthat team.

“We shot the ball poorly,” said Myers. “When you face playersfour and five inches taller, that alters your shots.”

The Lady Bobcats are coping with the loss of starting guards KiaPorter who tore an ACL in her knee two weeks ago in the loss atEnterprise. Porter is out for the remainder of the season.

Myers compared Tillman to former BHS star Thomas Terrell who isa senior at Georgia State this season. “Tillman reminds of ThomasTerrell. She can go inside and she has a smooth touch from theoutside.”

In the JV girls game, Brookhaven whipped Bogue Chitto59-20, led by Chiquita Rancifer with 13 points and Anna Autman with12. Mandy Vinson and Tiffany Edwards each added 10 points. MeganBateman and Latoya Kerr scored 6 apiece.

@Bbstandings:Brookhaven 55, Bogue Chitto 37

Bogue Chitto (37) Yolanda Drummond 12, Moak 2, Melton 7,Ratcliff 11, Porter 3, Shaw 2.

Brookhaven (55) Ayana Tillman 19, Stanton 9, Gilmore 6,Rancifer 9, Autman 7, Dixon 3.

Total fouls: Bogue Chitto 15. Brookhaven 23. Fouledout-Moak.

Free Throws M-A: Bogue Chitto 9-25. Brookhaven6-17.

3-point goals: Tillman 3, Rancifer 3.

Bogue Chitto

9

7

10

11 – 37

Brookhaven

17

17

7

14 – 55