CARTHAGE – Led by Abby Williams with 11 points and Kelli Byrdwith 10, the Brookhaven Academy Cougars buried East RankinAcademy’s Lady Rebels 57-14 Tuesday night in the opening round ofthe South State AA Tournament. The Lady Cougars cruised to a 33-6halftime lead.

The Brookhaven Academy boys whipped Hattiesburg PresbyterianChristian 53-42 last night, led by Paul Coker’s 15 points. In theother boys game, Oak Forest edged Prentiss Christian School 44-42in overtime last night.

In the other girls game, Presbyterian Christian surprised OakForest 63-52

Both Brookhaven teams advance to Friday’s semifinals. Win orlose, both of the BA teams will play Saturday, either in theconsolation or championship games.

The Lady Cougars (28-3) got 8 rebounds from Ancy Myers.Jessie Altman grabbed 7 rebounds and Mallory Logan 6. Leah Davismade 4 assists and Byrd 3. Byrd and Davis each had 3steals.

Coached by Barry Gray, the Lady Cougars play the winnerof the Wilkinson Academy-Leake Academy game at 2:30 Friday.Presbyterian plays the winner of the Canton Academy-ColumbiaAcademy game at 1 in the other semifinals test.

Girls consolation and championship games are at 1 and2:30 Saturday afternoon. All four teams advance to the AA StateTournament at Canton.

The Cougars (29-2) play Oak Forest Friday night at 6 inthe semifinals after eliminating the Hattiesburg squad. Winners ofthe Canton-Wilkinson and Leake-Columbia games play at 7:30 in theother semifinals game. Consolation and championship games areSaturday night at 6 and 7:30.

“We didn’t have a real good game,” said BrookhavenAcademy coach Dale Watts. “We got in early foul trouble. They had abig 6-6 kid inside who weighed about 260 and we had troubledefending him.

“Our kids did a good job of slowing the pace and winningthe game.” The Cougars led 28-17 at halftime.

On the backboards, Coker led the Cougars with 12 boards.Craig Smith dished out 6 assists and Johnathan Watts had5.

Guard Benjamin Morgan led the Bobcats with 17points.

@Bbstandings:GIRLS

Brookhaven Academy 57, East Rankin 14

Brookhaven (57) Abby Williams 11, Byrd 10, Myers 7, L.Davis 6, Gatlin 4, L. Smith 4, Logan 8, A. Davis 3.

East Rankin (14) Ashley Massey 4, Cole 3, Stokley 2,Kabiason 2, Sessums 3.

Total fouls: Brookhaven 14. Eat Rankin 15. Fouledout-Payne of East Rankin.

Free Throws M-A: Brookhaven 6-14. East Rankin1-5.

3-point goals: Williams 3, Cole.

Brookhaven Acad.

18

15

13

11 – 57

East Rankin Acad.

4

2

6

2 – 14

BOYS

Brookhaven Academy 53, Presbyterian 42

Brookhaven (53) Paul Coker 15, Magee 7, Cr. Smith 10,Winborne 6,A. Davis 8, Col. Smith 4, Hodges 3.

Presbyterian (42) Benjamin Morgan 17, Gundy 2, Tallman8, Newman 8, Smith 2, Caltharp 2, Griffith 3.

Total fouls: Brookhaven 20. Presbyterian 19. Fouledout-Davis.

Free Throws M-A; Brookhaven 7-18. Presbyterian12-21.

3-point goals: Cr. Smith 2, Winborne, Hodges, Morgan,Griffith.

Brookhaven Academy

12

16

6

19 – 53

Presbyterian Christian

7

10

8

17

– 42