MENDENHALL      –Brookhaven Academy’s No. 1 seeded teams cleared their first hurdlein the MAIS Class AA South State Tournament Thursday and punchedtheir ticket for a berth in next week’s state tournament. The LadyCougars crushed Sylva-Bay Academy 67-49, paced by senior guardTerah Winborne’s 28-point outburst.

    The Cougars disposed of Lamar School 65-22 in the quarterfinals,directed by Brock Smith and Brennan Miller with 18 points each.

    The Lady Cougars play Simpson Academy at 1 p.m. today in thesemifinals. Win or lose they play again Saturday, either in theconsolation (1 p.m.) or championship (2:15) games.

    Adams County Christian School plays Bowling Green at 2:15 today inthe other semifinals game.

    Tonight the Cougars play Bowling Green’s Buccaneers at 7:15 in thesemifinals. Central Private plays Trinity in the 6 p.m. game.Consolation and championship finals are Saturday at 6 and 7:15.

    The Lady Cougars (29-5) dominated Sylva-Bay (16-14). They cruisedto a 36-25 halftime lead despite the absence of two starters, dueto injuries

    “We played pretty good without Carey (Crozier),”  said  Duease. “We got the win and that’swhat we like.”

    Crozier, BA’s 6-foot junior center, was injured during a Wednesdaymorning practice session when she collided with Destiny Allen.Crozier sustained a head injury and was transported from KDMC to aJackson hospital She might be able to play Saturday.

     Allen, a starting guard,sustained a concussion and sat out yesterday’s game.

    Senior forward Laura Beth Wright chipped in 19 points and 6-1 postMary Jordan added 13.

    Seventeen points by Kelly Gavin led Sylva-Bay in scoring. MalloryOdom added 13 points and Kendra Abney 12.

    The Cougars (28-3) got 10 rebounds from Smith. Evans had 5rebounds. Collecting 3 steals apiece were  Miller, Smith, and Gage Posey. Millerand Bubba Keen each made 3 assists.

     “We had a lot of hustle, alot of get-up and go,” said BA coach Dale Watts. “We are movingon.”

    The State tournament starts next Tuesday at Grenada KirkAcademy.