The Copiah Academy Colonels held off a late charge by theTrinity Episcopal Saints for a 59-56 Wednesday win in the firstround of the Brookhaven Holiday Basketball Classic in John R. GrayGymnasium.

The Copiah girls suffered a tough 41-36 loss at the hands ofSilliman Institute.

In the earlier two games, the Hillcrest Christian boys beatCentral Private 60-44 and the Trinity Episcopal girls stoppedCentral Private 42-32.

The Copiah boys (6-1) meet Marshall today at 5:45 p.m. in thewinners bracket. The Lady Colonels (11-7) play Friday against theloser of today’s game between Bowling Green and Hillcrest Christianat 2:15.

Copiah 59, Trinity 56

“We’re still sloppy,” said Copiah head coach Mitch Mitchell ofhis boys team after the game. “This was our seventh game. We’regoing to get it worked out.”

Mitchell, who also coaches football and girls basketball, wasunable to start practicing a full boys team until after the statefootball playoffs. Mitchell coached Copiah to the Class AA titlethis year.

The game was physical down the stretch. Trinty’s Stevan Ridleyscored on a putback to cut the Copiah lead to one point, 57-56,with 11.9 left to play. The Colonels had control of the ball butwere being hard pressed by the Saints. Copiah’s Hunter Greer brokeopen under the goal for an easy jumper to secure the win as thegame ended.

Copiah trailed Trinity 20-11 in the first quarter and 31-28 atthe half. Near the end of the third quarter, the Colonels broke a32-all tie with 5:40 on the clock, took the lead and held on forthe remainder of the game.

Powering the Colonels was senior forward Jake Guess with 22points and 9 rebounds. Reid Daniels fired in 13 points. Greerfinished with 6 points and led off the backboards with 10rebounds.

Pacing Trinty was Ridley with a game-high 21 points and 11rebounds. Netting 14 points was Parker Brumfield.

Silliman 41, Copiah 36

The Copiah and Silliman girls were deadlocked 11-all after thefirst quarter. Silliman went ahead 21-18 at the half and maintaineda 6-point, 32-26, lead going into the final frame. Copiah wasmissing senior guard Alexis Mitchell who is in London, England,with the Copiah cheerleader squad.

“Silliman shot the ball real good,” said Mitchell.

Julie Hankins netted 9 points to lead the Lady Colonels. BeccaBoone finished with 8 points. Emily Fahner led off the backboardswith 7 rebounds.

Silliman got 10 points and 5 rebounds was Jamie Brian.

Trinity Episcopal 42, Central Private 32

In the early girls game, Eliza Jones and Caroline Ketchingssparked Trinty with 10 points apiece.

Leading Central Private with 8 points was Sonni Kirkwood. TriciaVeehendaal netted 6.

Hillcrest 60, Central Private 44

Corey Lockhart’s 17 points directed the Hillcrest boys to thewin.

Matt Creel fired in 18 points for Central Private. Justin Creelfinished with 11 points.