JACKSON — Brookhaven Academy traveled up Interstate 55 Tuesdaynight to face Hillcrest Christian in what most expected to be toughbattle for both teams. But when all was said and done, Hillcrestgot a free offensive clinic from Brookhaven, as the Cougars rolledto a 96-76 victory and improved to 23-1 on the year.

Senior forward Jeremy Winborne followed Gray with 25 points andled Brookhaven on the glass, pulling down 7 rebounds. He also had 5assists and 3 steals. Winborne had 16 of his points in the firstquarter as the Cougars raced out of the gates and never lookedback.

Defense was a word that couldn’t be found anywhere near theHillcrest team, as Brookhaven used scoring bursts of 33 in thefirst quarter and 34 in the third quarter to put the game out ofreach.

“It was just a good night for us,” said Gray. “Hillcrest usuallyhas more height than they do this year and you need height to runthe defense they were in. It just worked out that I had good looksat the basket.”

Brookhaven shot a blistering 67 percent from the floor for thegame. The Cougars led by as much as 32 before the starters cameout.

“Any time you have five players in double figures and shoot theball that well from the floor, it’s hard for someone not to have abig night.” added Gray. “Our passing was good and our defense wasgood. We’re just trying to get ready for tournament time.”

Corey Dickerson and T-Boy Lynch each added 13 points and KurtPerkins followed with 10 points. Dickerson was able to pull down 6rebounds and had three steals. Perkins was able to dish out 6assists.

Mike Stigile led Hillcrest with 17 points. Korlandes Lewisfollowed with 11 points.

Brookhaven 57 Hillcrest 44

Betsy Lynch and Drew Holland Tigner each recorded adouble-double as Brookhaven’s Lady Cougars topped Hillcrest. Tignerscored a game-high 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds and Lynchadded 15 points and 10 rebounds of her own in support. Lynch alsohad 6 assists and 3 steals.

Maddie Allen added 14 points, including 4 treys in the game, asBrookhaven improved to 20-9 on the season.

Whitney Gallman led Hillcrest with 14 points. Mitzy Morganfollowed with 12 points.

Junior High Action

In the junior high boys game, Brookhaven edged Hillcrest 52-50led by Garret Posey’s 12 points. Joshua Winborne added 11 pointsand Jameson Powell scored 10 as the Cougars improved to 14-3 on theseason.

Manuel Ezejiofo led Hillcrest with a game-high 21 points. AustinHartzog followed with 13 points.

In junior high girls action, Brookhaven’s Lady Cougars heldHillcrest scoreless in the fourth quarter to force overtime andoutscore the hosts 6-3 in the extra frame to take a 20-17victory.

Jordan Langston led Brookhaven with 7 points in the game.Kristin Kimble and Nicole Smith each followed with 5 points.

Karly Kliesch led Hillcrest with 7 points.