Brookhaven Academy fans were not sure of what to expect Thursdaynight as the Cougars welcomed Cenla Christian in to John R. GrayGymnasium. Cenla, of Pineville, La, is a newcomer to the MPSA andis also celebrating its first year of existence as a school. Lotsof optimism and hype surrounded the Lions, who have a bevy oftalent on their varsity boy’s squad.

But when all was said and done, it was the more seasoned andexperienced Brookhaven team that came away with the victory.

Brookhaven whipped Cenla 74-55 as the Cougars used theirpatented pressure defense, along with putting four players indouble figures, to improve to 4-0 on the season. Cenla, whichshould make a lot of noise in the academy single A ranks, droppedto 4-2.

“We faced a very quick, athletic team tonight.” said Brookhavencoach Dale Watts. “We had to make some adjustments for their speedand we struggled at times on both ends of the floor. But we buckleddown and found a way to win. It was a good game for us to play ateam that is as good as they are.”

Sawyer Wallace scored 15 points and pulled down 5 rebounds tolead Brookhaven in a game in which the Cougars never trailed.Blaine Roberts added 15 points, Daniel Lofton scored 13 and pulleddown 8 rebounds and Joshua Winborne poured in 11 points dished out5 assists for the Cougars.

Tyrin Boyd scored a game high 27 points to lead the Lions andChris Johnson added 16 points but it wasn’t enough as the Cougarslimited the remainder of the Cenla starting 5 to just 8 points.

“We played a good basketball team tonight.” said Cenla coachWillie Davis. “Brookhaven plays four quarters of tough pressuredefense and they execute their offense very well. We haven’t playeda team like that before tonight and I’m not sure we will the restof the year. I’ve been coaching for a long time and that’s the mostdisciplined team I’ve ever seen.”

Brookhaven 76. Cenla 49

Brookhaven girl’s coach Barry Gray was able to substitute earlyand often as the Lady Lions proved to be little resistance for theLady Cougars as the hosts cruised to a 27 points win. Senior KelliSnider scored 18 points, pulled down 7 rebounds, had 6 steals and 4assists to lead Brookhaven as they improved to 7-0 on the year.

Anna Katelyn Mangold scored 15 points and Betsy Lynch added 14points and 3 assists as the Lady Cougars roared to a 32-5 lead atthe end of the first quarter and never looked back. Hannah Hickmanadded 12 points for Brookhaven. Kellie Brady pulled down 10rebounds.

Cenla got a game high 21 points from Felicia Dickens. BrittanyBarnfield followed with 15 points for the Lady Lions.

In junior high boy’s action, Chandler Rogers and Carr Tignereach scored 15 points to lead Brookhaven to a 58-38 win. JeffRushing followed with 10 points as the Cougars improved to 5-0 onthe year.

Cenla got 13 points from Malcolm Williams.

In junior high girl’s action, Anna Lofton scored 12 points tolead Brookhaven to a 49-18 win. Laura Beth Wright followed with 5points as the Lady Cougars improved to 7-0 on the year.

Chelsea Fletcher and Dakota Pebble each scored 5 points forCenla.