Brookhaven junior forward Shamika Gilmore pumped in 15 pointsFriday night to direct the host Lady Panthers to a 62-54 Division6-4A win over the McComb Lady Tigers in Sinclair Gymnasium. Gilmorealso led off the backboards with eight rebounds.

In the varsity boys game, 6-foo-9 Tiger center Jackie Butlerdirected 10th-ranked McComb to a 68-54 victory over Brookhaven witha game-high 25 points and 18 rebounds.

The Lady Panthers (24-1, 5-0) led the Lady Tigers (9-16, 1-4)11-9 at the end of the first quarter. The teams exchanged leads insecond-quarter play but Anna Autman’s field goal at the buzzer gaveBrookhaven a one-point, 27-26 lead over McComb. Seconds earlier,Lady Tiger Kirdy Butler hit a two pointer which had put McComb up26-25.

“McComb was ready to play,” said Brookhaven girls coach RonaldGill. “McComb was ready for us.”

In the third quarter, the Brookhaven girls went on a 19-7 run totake a 46-33 lead going into the final frame. The Lady Tigerschipped away, outscoring the Lady Panthers 18-16, but remained 11points short.

“Brookhaven has us outclassed,” stated McComb girls coachCarolyn Whitehead. “My girls hustled tonight. The missed shots andfree throws hurt us.”

Both teams struggled from the free throw line. Brookhaven was 16of 34 and McComb finished 13 of 33.

Contributing to the Brookhaven victory with 13 points and twoblocked shots was Autman. Aneida Stanton finished with eightpoints, made five steals and had three assists. Collecting sixrebounds and blocking two shots was Ayana Tillman.

Clarissa Thompson led the McComb girls with 13 points. MissyRollins and Felisha Dillion followed with 10 points apiece.

In the boys game, the Tigers (24-3, 5-0) jumped on the Panthers(17-7, 3-2) for an early 18-8 advantage. It was Brookhaven’s secondstraight loss. Brookhaven came back in the second quarter for an18-15 run and cut the deficit to 33-26 at the half.

In third quarter play, Brookhaven’s Dexter Middleton got a tipinto cut the McComb lead to six points, 39-33, with 2:25 left. Thatdidn’t last as Tigers’ Tony Briner and Butler came back with abucket apiece in the final seconds to push McComb’s lead to45-33.

Fourth-quarter action featured Panther junior point guardBrandon Caston exploding for back-to-back three pointers that cutMcComb’s lead to 48-41 with 4:19 remaining in the game. The Tigersreplied with four quick points and pushed their lead to 52-41 with3:22 left.

“They (McComb) have a good squad,” said Brookhaven boys coachDan Presley. “We had a lackluster effort in the first half.”

The Panthers were paced by senior forward Fred Mackabee whonetted 15 points. Sophomore post Phillip Tobias scored nine points.Caston finished with eight points.

“I was proud of our offense and defense,” stated McComb boyscoach Hilton Harrell. “We played pretty well. Brookhaven is wellcoached.”

Contributing to the Tigers win with 19 points, including three-3pointers, was guard D.J. Carr.

Brookhaven visits division opponent South Pike Tuesday atMagnolia.