Saturday night’s matchup between Brookhaven Academy and ColumbiaAcademy was highly anticipated. Two top five teams met in what someconsidered to be a preview of the District 4-AA title game.

Columbia Academy came in to the matchup ranked number 3 inAcademy AA basketball, with a 10-3 record, the only losses comingat the hands of AAA foes Jackson Prep, Parklane, and HattiesburgPresbyterian Christian School. Brookhaven came in ranked as thenumber 1 team in Academy AA basketball with a record of 8-1, theonly loss at the hands of AAA power Jackson Academy.

What started out as a highly anticipated matchup ended with theBA boys cruising past Columbia 77-53 to improve to 9-1 overall and3-0 in district play.

Jeremy Winborne and Alan Gray scored 17 points apiece asBrookhaven put four players in double figures and raced to a 48-25lead at the half. Winborne had 5 assists and 4 steals to go alongwith his point total.

Seth Davis added 14 points and 9 rebounds, and Kurt Perkinschipped in 13 points as Brookhaven jumped out to a 29-17 lead afterone quarter and never looked back.

“Brookhaven outplayed us,” said Columbia coach Reid McKay.”Their defense was just too tough. They have a good team. Theyshoot the ball well, and all their players can hurt you fromanywhere on the court. A team will have to play perfect basketballto beat them.”

Travis Pace led Columbia with a game-high 20 points. Warren Lottadded 11 points in support as Columbia fell to 10-4 on theseason.

In the varsity girls game, Cougar fans watchedas Columbia whipped Brookhaven 47-28, giving Brookhaven its firstdistrict loss in the past 8 seasons. Freshman Drew Holland Tignerscored 13 points and pulled down 8 rebounds as the Lady Cougarsfell to 9-6 overall and 2-1 in district play.

“We had a height advantage over Brookhaven,” said McKay. “AndBrookhaven isn’t the same team they’ve been the past few years.They played us close in the first half, but our size took its tolllate in the game.”

Taryn Magee led Columbia with a game-high 19 points.

Junior High Action

In junior high girls action, Jordan Langston and Kristin Kimbleeach scored 8 points in leading Brookhaven to a 41-10 thumping ofColumbia to improve to 9-1 overall and 3-0 in district play. OliviaRials scored 4 points for Columbia

In boys action, Brookhaven whipped Columbia 39-16, let by JoshuaWinborne’s 8 points. Michael Wilson added 7 points. Garrett Poseyand Jameson Powell each scored 6 in support. Josh Broom and ColeOglesbee each scored 5 points for Columbia.