MONTICELLO – In most seasons, a 29-point quarter by LawrenceCounty’s boys wouldn’t be too surprising. For the Cougars, it’s atotally different situation this year as evidenced by Fridaynight’s 54-29 loss to the Brookhaven Panthers.

Brookhaven (14-3) got 14 points each from guards Fred Mackabeeand Brandon Caston to handily beat the cold-shooting Cougars whofell to 2-19 with the setback.

“We didn’t give a good effort tonight,” said Lawrence Countyboys coach Bobby Lee. “The lid has been on the basket the wholeseason.”

Lee has coached the Cougars to four Class 4A statechampionships. They were the Division 6-4A Tournament championslast year. Lee lost five starters from last season’s team.

The Panthers struggled early on offense, leading 9-3 at thequarter and 22-11 at halftime. They outscored the Cougars 19-6 inthe fourth quarter and the fans started leaving the sparklinggymnasium early.

“We got on them early and didn’t let them get started,” saidBrookhaven boys coach Don Presley. “Any time you beat LawrenceCounty here, you’re happy.”

Presley said a change in defense helped his team. “We startedout in a man (defense) but we went to a 2-3 zone when we saw theyweren’t shooting the ball well. They weren’t hitting tonight.”

In the first half, the Cougars hit just 3 of 15 field goalattempts. Brookhaven raced to a 9-2 lead and pulled ahead 14-5 on atrey by Caston with 6:31 left in the first half.

The Cougars got 2 straight jumpers from Chris Bridges to startthe second half. Brookhaven responded with a putback by JasperHall, plus 3 free throws.

A putback and a free throw by Mikell reduced the Cougar deficitto 6 points, 27-21, with 4:28 left in the third quarter. Mackabeecashed in a steal and Caston netted a pair of free throws, pushingthe Panther lead to 10 points, 31-21.

“Fred and Brandon finally started hitting and that helped us alot,” said Presley. Mackabee led the Panthers on the backboardswith 12 rebounds. Caston had 11 and Hall 7.

The Cougars got 5 assists from Stringer. Bryant Wells had 7rebounds.

Brookhaven hosts the Wal-Mart Invitational Tournament this weekand Presley’s Panthers resume play Thursday night at 7:45, meetingHazlehurst in Sinclair Gymnasium.