MENDENHALL — The Brookhaven Academy Cougars pounded out a 66-35win over the Silliman Institute Wildcats in the championship gameof the South State AA tournament Saturday in the Simpson Academygym..

The win improved the Cougars record to 31-3 on the season andmade them the No. 1 seed out of the South in the State AATournament in Canton Academy this week.

In Friday night’s semifinals, Brookhaven smashed Prairie View(La.) 70-59 and Silliman (La.) nipped Columbia Academy 43-42.

“We played extremely well,” said Brookhaven Academy coach DaleWatts. “Silliman tried to play a slow type game. Our guys wereprepared for that.

We jumped on them,” continued Watts. “We dictated the game. Ourbig fear was that they would get the lead and be ball controlconscious. We busted it open in the second quarter. It kind ofbroke their backs with our transition and full court pressure.”continued Watts. “We did a good job.”

Watts said his Cougars would face the loser of Saturday’s gamebetween North teams Marshall and Heritage either Tuesday orWednesday night.

Directing Brookhaven (31-3) with 17 points was Jeremy Winborne.Seth Davis collected 14 points, 11 rebounds and four steals. AlanGray fired in 11 points and made four steals. Following with 10points, seven rebounds and nine assists was Cole Hodges. Alex Davisgrabbed five rebounds, made four steals and had four assists.

Chad Fontenot paced Silliman with 10 points.

Brookhaven 70, Prairie View 59

Leading Brookhaven (30-3) with 18 points was Jeremy Winborne.Cole Hodges fired in 16 points. Seth Davis netted 15 pointsfollowed by Alex Davis with 12. Leading off the backboards with 12rebounds was Alex Davis followed by Seth Davis with nine rebounds.J.M. Winborne led with six assists.

Boo Waller’s17 points paced Prairie View.