RIDGELAND — The Brookhaven Academy Cougar tennis team capturedthe MPSA Academy Class AA State Tournament Wednesday. Brookhavenfinished with 7 points, followed by Lee Academy with 3, Winston 2,Copiah 1 and Simpson 1/2. The Cougars were the defending statechamps.

The Lady Cougars, also the defending state champs, finishedfourth with 2 points in the five-team competition. IndianolaAcademy captured first with 4 points,winning a tie-breaker;followed by Manchester 4, Winston 3, Brookhaven and Simpson with1/2.

Capturing first place for Brookhaven were sixth grader WillHickman in No. 2 boys singles; eighth grader Austin Watts andfreshman Michael Wilson in No. 1 boys doubles. Eighth graders JakeBaker and Myles Melancon in No. 2 boys doubles. No. 1 boys singlesplayer eighth grader Dudley Lampton lost in the championshipmatch.

“I was real proud of our boys,” said BA coach Alan Taylor. “Itwas good to beat Copiah (Academy) in No. 2 doubles after they beatus in South State.”

Advancing to the championship round in the girls competitionwere sophomore Rosemary Moak, No. 1 singles and the No. 1 doublesteam of senior Sarah Taylor and sophomore Nicole Smith. Moak lostin split sets.

“We want to continue building our program,” said Taylor.”Overall, we had a pretty good showing.”