The host Brookhaven Panthers held off a late surge by theWingfield Falcons to post a key 54-51 Division 6-4A win Tuesdaynight in Sinclair Gymnasium.

In the varsity girls game, Wingfield shot the lights out in thesecond half to escape with a 55-38 victory over Brookhaven.

Brookhaven 54, Wingfield 51

Brookhaven guard Jerome Avery went 3-for-4 from the free throwline in the final 50 seconds to give the Panthers a five point,54-49, lead. The Falcons scored a field goal at the buzzer to cutthe deficit to three points.

“Wingfield is real quick,” said Brookhaven boys coach RonaldHines following the win. “They have real good players.”

The Panthers improved to 2-1 in the division and 8-11 on theseason. The Falcons, coached by Herman Sanders, fell to 4-12overall and 1-2 in division play.

Brookhaven jumped on Wingfield for a 17-6 lead in the firstquarter. The Panthers held the Falcons scoreless, 8-0, until the4:41 mark when Clarence Steele scored the visitors’ first fieldgoal of the game. With 3:10 remaining, Brookhaven pushed its leadto 13-4 over Wingfield.

The Panthers went into halftime up seven points, 28-21,following a pair of freebies from Avery with 40 seconds left.

“We are a young ball club,:” added Hines. “We look to be apretty decent basketball team.”

A dunk from Bud Chatman and a free throw from Michael Thrashergave the Panthers a 10-point, 31-21 cushion in the opening minuteof the third quarter.

Going into the final frame, Brookhaven was on top of Wingfield43-33. The Falcons cut the deficit to three points several timesbut the Panthers responded to preserve the win.

Powering the Panthers with 17 points was Bud Chatman. CharlesRancifer fired in eight points followed by Avery with sevenpoints.

Randy Buille fired in 19 points for the Falcons. Steele finishedwith eight points.

The Lady Panthers (6-13, 2-1) played anaggressive first half, leading the Lady Falcons 14-10 in the firstquarter and 25-21 at the half.

The Wingfield offense broke out in the third quarter to take anine-point, 40-31, lead going into the final frame. A 15-7 run bythe Lady Falcons helped secure the win.

“Our defense broke down,” said Brookhaven girls coach BillyHolmes of the second half. “We didn’t adjust to their half-courttrap. Our youth and inexperience showed. We couldn’t ever get intoour offense in the second half.”

The Lady Panthers were directed by freshman center Swayze Blackand senior guard Ashley Leggett with 11 points apiece. PortiaDickey finished with eight points, nine rebounds and foursteals.

Black led off the backboards with 12 rebounds. Blanche Wilsonmade two steals.

High scorer was Wingfield’s Jody Chatman with a game-high 20points. Candace Johnson fired in 13 points. The Lady Falcons,coached by Bobby Gates, improved to 12-5 overall and 4-0 in thedivision.

Junior Varsity game

The Wingfield boys held off Brookhaven for a 40-31 win. Leadingthe Panthers with eight points was Chris Smith followed by MichaelWashington and Travis Nelson with five points each.

Brookhaven travels to Jim Hill in Jackson Friday night. for adivision twinbill.