Looking for some sweet revenge, the Brookhaven Academy Cougarswhipped the Huntington (La.) Academy Hounds 50-33 Friday night,directed by T-Boy Lynch and Corey Dickerson with 19 and 17 pointsrespectively.

The victory, coming in the semifinals of BA’s Holiday Classic,made amends for a 65-62 loss at Huntington on Nov. 27. The Hounds,MPSA Class A members, fell to 15-2 with the loss.

In the other boys semifinals game in John R. Gray Gymnasium,Hillcrest Christian dumped Marshall 56-41. In consolation bracketaction, Central Private outscored Copiah 66-62.

Brookhaven Academy boys coach Dale Watts said his team was ableto overcome a difficult start. “I knew it would be a big challengefor us to step out there and win.

“They (Hounds) blocked some shots on us early and we got alittle tentative. But then we got down to business.”

The Cougars (9-2), in the midst of a massive rebuildingcampaign, showed plenty of potential against Huntington. Theyforged an 8-point, 21-13 lead over the Hounds on a driving baselinelayup by Lynch and 4:05 left in the first half.

Watts said he was pleased with his team’s improved defensiveeffort on Huntington star forward Ricky Dunbar. He was held to 9points after sacking 27 in the earlier victory.

Huntington regrouped at halftime and claimed a 27-25 lead on abaseline drive by guard Zack Brown. Watts called for a timeout with3:15 left in the third quarter and steadied his team.

Lynch sacked a baseline jumper and Dickerson followed with atrey from the corner. Lynch swished a trey and the Cougars led33-29 at the close of the third quarter.

With 7:35 left in the game, Dickerson sank a layup on abreakaway and the Cougars led by 6 points, 35-29. That was a signalfor Watts to begin his patient slowdown offense.

Brookhaven got the free throw bonus with 5:04 remaining and made7 of 10 charity shots the rest of the game.

“The enemy changes from your opponent to the clock when you get10 (points) ahead,” said Watts. “We can do five different things inour delay game.”

Lynch finished with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Dickerson had 5assists and 3 rebounds. David Ross Barnett, a 5-10 transfer pointguard from Hillcrest, tossed in 14 points, scoring 10 the fourthquarter.

Daniel Lofton had 6 rebounds in the triumph.

Hillcrest 56, Marshall 41

A 21-point performance by Kolandes Lewis led Hillcrest overMarshall. Brady Parker added 13 points.

Marshall got 12 points from Jimmy Palmer.

Central Private 66, Copiah 62

Matt Creel tossed in 29 points to lead the Rebels pastCopiah.

Leading the Colonels was Jake Guess with 28 points. Hunter Greerand Clay Price each scored 12 points.