COLUMBIA — The Brookhaven Academy Cougars made an impressivestatement in the first round of the Class AA South State TournamentTuesday night at Columbia Academy. Brookhaven cruised to a 78-53victory over Central Hinds, led by senior center Seth Davis’ 21points and 10 rebounds. Davis also had 4 steals and 3 assists. Itwas his second consecutive double-double.

The Lady Cougars fell to Adams County Christian School 60-46,ending their season with a final mark of 23-13. They were 4-timedefending state champions.

Brookhaven 78, Central Hinds 53

T-Boy Lynch followed Davis with 12 points and 4 steals. KurtPerkins added 10 points.

“We’ve all stepped it up lately,” said Davis. “I think it’s moreof my teammates opening me up as a group effort, instead of me justscoring points. Points are just a stat. I’m just glad we could getthe win.”

Brookhaven raced out of the gates taking an 11-0 lead before theCougars from Raymond could ever put points on the board, a 3-pointshot by Cody Ward with 4:10 remaining in the first quarter.Brookhaven led 50-18 at the half.

Ward led Central Hinds with 17 points. Zac Hutson followed with15.

Brookhaven (29-1), coached by Dale Watts, advances to meetCopiah Academy Friday night at 7:15 in semifinal action. Copiah,the No. 2 seed from District 3, defeated Trinity Episcopal, the No.3 seed from District 4, 66-62 yesterday. Both Brookhaven and Copiahwill play Saturday, either in the consolation or championshipgames. Both also qualify for the AA State Tournament next week atEast Rankin Academy.

ACCS 60 Brookhaven 46

Brookhaven’s Lady Cougars gave it all they had but came up onthe short end of the scoreboard Tuesday night, failing to qualifyfor the state tournament for the first time in 8 years.

The Lady Cougars led the whole way until 6 minutes were left inthe game, when things fell apart. Brookhaven led by as much as 12points, but went cold from the floor and found itself in foultrouble, enabling the Lady Rebels to get back in the game.

BA’s Drew Holland Tigner, Kelli Snider, and Hannah Watts allexited the game early due to fouls, which helped Adams outscoreBrookhaven 23-5 in the final frame to take the victory.

“We finished with a great effort,” said Brookhaven assistantcoach Lindy Gray. “We reached both of our goals this year ofwinning 20 games and making it to South State. The girls showed alot of heart. It’ll be a lot of fun to watch them next year.”

Betsy Lynch led Brookhaven with 15 points. Kelli Snider followedwith 10 points and 5 rebounds. Kellie Brady was able to score 9points and pull down 12 rebounds.

Katie Ann Swinny led Adams with 24 points. Ariana DeLaSallefollowed with 15 points for the Lady Rebels.

Adams, coached by John Gray, advances to meet Trinity EpiscopalFriday afternoon. Trinity defeated Copiah Academy to advance.