BOGUE CHITTO – In a rare Saturday night special, Lincoln Countyrivals Brookhaven and Bogue Chitto met in basketball action atBogue Chitto’s Calhoun Gymnasium. This game was originallyscheduled Nov. 12, but was postponed due to both schools’ footballteams having games remaining on their schedules.

Brookhaven made the 11-mile trek down Highway 51 and managed apair of hard-fought wins over Bogue Chitto. The Lady Panthers gotpast the Lady ‘Cats 44-30, behind a game-high 21 points, 13rebounds and 4 steals from sophomore center Nikki Byrd.

The Panthers, behind a triple-double from sophomore guardCharles Rancifer, authored a hard-fought 69-60 win over a scrappyBobcat squad. Rancifer totaled 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10assists; along with 4 steals.

On Tuesday, Brookhaven hosts Florence in Sinclair Gym for aDivision 6-4A. Bogue Chitto hosts Dexter for a Division 7-1Aencounter.

Brookhaven 44, Bogue Chitto 30

The Lady Panthers (8-12) took an 18-4 lead into the secondquarter, as Byrd scored 6 in the period. Her inside prowess on theoffensive boards was a key in the game for head coach BillyHolmes.

The ‘Cats (6-8) outscored Brookhaven 14-4 in the second, butstill trailed 22-18 at halftime.

“We just could not do anything on defense,” said Lady ‘Cat headcoach Christi Terrell. “Our girls played hard and did notquit.”

Byrd exploded for 10 points in the third, as the Lady Panthersentered the fourth stanza with 44-21 advantage; limiting the Lady’Cats to only 3 points in the period.

For Ole Brook, Portia Dickey had 11 points, 3 steals and 5assists. Angel Weston had 2 steals and 2 assists. The Lady Pantherscommitted 20 turnovers, compared to 30 by Bogue Chitto.

The Lady ‘Cats got 9 rebounds from Shasta Porter. Chelsey Millerdished out 2 assists. Bogue Chitto outrebounded the Lady Panthers31-29, including a 15-11 advantage on the offensive boards.Terrell’s ballclub managed only 4 points on offensive putbacks.

Brookhaven 69, Bogue Chitto 60

The Bobcats (5-8) would jump on Ole Brook early. Bogue Chitto,behind a combined 13-point effort from Dontae Ratcliff (6) andAlonzo Miner (7), raced out to a 17-12 cushion at the end of thefirst stanza. Ratcliff finished the game with 17 points, 5rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists. Miner added 14 points, 7 reboundsand 2 steals.

The Panthers (5-15) rallied in the second frame, outscoringBogue Chitto 20-12, and took a 32-29 lead into the halftimelockerroom. Rancifer opened the game, by hitting his first 8 shots(2 treys) and had 18 points at the break.

Bogue Chitto, coached by Andy Smithie, kept this game closethrough the first 3 quarters. His ballclub’s largest advantage was5 points on several occasions. The Bobcats trailed by 3 points,48-45 entering the final period.

Several turnovers in the final 8 minutes would aid the Panthersin the win.

Lending support for Ole Brook was Simmie Yarborough with 17points and 6 rebounds. Jerome Avery added 11 points, 2 steals and 3assists. The Panthers committed 20 turnovers, while shooting 52percent (27 of 51 overall) from the floor.

For Bogue Chitto, Antwain Lyons and Keyounna Perkins had 10points apiece. Nick Hatten had 5 rebounds. Lyons had 2 steals and 2assists. The Bobcats shot 54 percent (25 of 47) from the fieldoverall, but committed 18 turnovers.

GIRLS

Brookhaven 44, Bogue Chitto 30

Bogue Chitto (30) Meleah Brown 7, Thomas 6, Porter 3, Miller 4,Welch 2, Hall 3, Howard 2, Braxton 3.

Brookhaven (44) Nikki Byrd 21, Portia Dickey 11, Black 3, Weston2, Jones 2, Harris 3, Mackabee 2.

Total Fouls: Bogue Chitto 13, Brookhaven 23. Fouled Out: Harris.Technicals: None.

Free Throws M-A: Bogue Chitto 13-27, Brookhaven 10-17.

3-point goals: Bogue Chitto 1 (Braxton).

Brookhaven

18

4

14

8

–

44

Bogue Chitto

4

8

9

9

–

30

BOYS

Brookhaven 69, Bogue Chitto 60

Bogue Chitto (60) Dontae Ratcliff 17, Alonzo Miner 14,Antwain Lyons 10, Keyounna Perkins 10, Avants 4, Hatten 3, Tillman2.

Brookhaven (69) Charles Rancifer 26, Simmie Yarborough17, Jerome Avery 11, Chapman 9, Richardson 2, D. Blue 2, Bryant2.

Total Fouls: Bogue Chitto 18, Brookhaven 17. Fouled Out:Ratcliff. Technicals: None.

Free Throws M-A: Bogue Chitto 9-17, Brookhaven13-23.

3-point goals: Bogue Chitto 5 (Ratcliff 3, Lyons 2),Brookhaven 2 (Rancifer 2).

Brookhaven

12

20

16

21

–

69

Bogue Chitto

17

12

16

15

–

60