High-powered McComb showcased its offensive skills Friday nightin Sinclair Gymnasium. The Tigers shook off a slow start and brokeloose for 12 treys on their way to an 82-67 win against theBrookhaven Panthers.

Directing the long-range assault for the Tigers (17-2, 1-0) wereguards Laterius Ferguson and Ladarius White with 24 and 22 pointsrespectively. Ferguson poured in seven treys and White sacked4.

On the backboards, McComb got a strong effort from TradriusHolloway, a muscular 6-foot-5, 217-pound junior who accounted for14 points and 9 rebounds.

McComb head coach Hilton Harrell watched the Panthers (16-5, 1-2)start strong, like thoroughbred racehorses out of the startinggate. The near-capacity crowd saw senior guard Rayavion Stewartpump in 19 first-quarter points. Stewart had 22 points at halftimeand finished with 25.

“Our ability to slow (Panthers) down was important,” said Harrell.”They came out on fire but we were able to settle down and make ourshots.”

Harrell said the emergence of Holloway as a force in the paint hasstrengthened his team. “Holloway has turned into a special playerfor us. He’s been blocking four and five shots a game and getting14to 15 rebounds.”

The Tigers owned a 39-34 halftime lead. They were up by 10 points,39-29, when Ferguson sacked a trey with 55 seconds showing.

The Panthers produced a third-quarter surge and trailed 53-50 onthe strength of three straight free throws by Leo Garrett. McCombresponded with a 9-2 run to start the fourth quarter, sparked byDaven Gooden’s 2 short jumpers and a trey.

“McComb is pretty solid all the way around,” said BHS coach PrestonWilson. “We can’t afford to make mistakes against a quality teamlike them. We really got hurt on the offensive boards in the secondhalf.”

Wilson’s crew finished with 31 rebounds and 23 turnovers. They got7 rebounds from Stewart and 6 from 6-8 junior center Fred Fairman,plus 9 points. Kristoff Bates scored 10 points.

@Bbstandings:

McComb 82, Brookhaven 67

McComb (82) Laterrius Ferguson 24, Ladarius White 22, TradriusHolloway 14, Daven Gooden 21, Evans 6, Allen 4, Martin 1.

Brookhaven (67) Rajavion Stewart 25, Kristoff Bates 10 Hill 4,Johnson 2, Fairman 9, Gipson 8, Perkins 2, Garrett 7.

Total fouls: McComb 9. Brookhaven 15. Fouled out-none.

Free Throws M-A: McComb 11-18. Brookhaven 7-8.

3-point goals: McComb 12 (Ferguson 7, White 4, Gooden). Brookhaven8 (Stewart 6, Bates 2).

McComb 15 24 14 19 — 82

Brookhaven 20 14 16 17 — 67