Senior center Fred Fairman and his Brookhaven teammates wantedto win their last home game Friday night in Sinclair Gymnasium.Fairman helped his cause with a game-high 18 points and seniorclassmate Leo Garrett netted 17 as the Panthers punished West Jones77-51.

In the varsity girls game, a large crowd roared with enthusiasm asTiakara Kelly sank a 3-point goal from the corner but her shotfailed to beat the final buzzer and the Lady Panthers absorbed a40-37 heart-breaking Region 6-5A loss to the Lady Mustangs.

Brookhaven wraps up its regular season this week with a region roadgame at Forest Hill Tuesday and a non-region test at Class 6ANatchez Friday night. The Region 5A Tournament tips off Feb. 10, atWest Jones.

The Panthers (20-4, 4-1), realizing their second straight 20-winseason under Coach Preston Wilson, played well on defense and 11players put points on the scoreboard. Wilson was able to substitutefreely and his reserves responded well.

“We wanted to win our last home game,” said Fairman, a slender6-foot-8 post player. “We played aggressively. We are a good teamand we’re getting better every game.”

It’s a long road to the Big House, a.k.a. the Mississippi Coliseumin Jackson, but Fairman believes his team can make it to the statetournament in four weeks.

“We played well defensively and we were able to put some pressureon them,” said Wilson. His team is tied with McComb for No. 1 inthe region race.

On the backboards, Fairman and 6-7 classmate Daniel Washington eachhad 8 rebounds. Washington also blocked 6 shots, displayingremarkable athletic ability.

Senior guard Keith Johnson handed out 5 assists. Garrett grabbed 6rebounds.

West Jones (9-10, 0-5), coached by Steve Cannon, got 14 points eachfrom Devonte Stewart and Xavier Thigpen. The Mustangs were beatenbadly on the backboards and trailed 58-38 entering the fourthquarter.

The Lady Panthers (8-15, 0-5) absorbed another painful setback andremained winless in region play.

“It was a tough loss but at least my girls played hard,” said BHScoach Fred Craft.

Craft watched Kelly score a team-high 11 points for the LadyPanthers. Shareeka Hill netted 9 points. Audora Hill and FredrickaFairman each had 4 rebounds.

West Jones (12-6, 4-1), also coached by Cannon, fell behind 8-3 inthe first quarter but quickly regrouped for a 16-16 halftime knot.They carried a 31-27 lead into the final frame.

Kiara Speed, a 5-6 junior guard, led the victory with 15points.