It wasn’t easy but the Brookhaven Academy boys accomplished their goal. The Cougars won their ninth straight MAIS Class AA South State Tennis Tournament, edging Lamar School 9-8.5 on a rainy Wednesday afternoon on the Brookhill courts.

Leading the Cougars were Will Hickman and Grant Melancon, who won No. 1 and No. 2 boys singles respectively. Graham Watson and Zac Smith won No. 1 boys singles for BA. Jacob Wiggins and Dawson Martin fell in the semifinals.

The BA girls finished third behind Lamar and Laurel Christian. Marlee Watts and Madison Warren won No. 1 girls singles for BA.

BA, coached by David Misner, will compete in the state tournament, May 8, in Jackson. Whitney Moak, Hickman, Melancon, Watson, Smith, Watts and Warren will represent the Cougars.

Boys Results

No. 1 singles: Will Hickman (BA) d. Marcello (LC) 6-0, 6-3. Championship: Hickman d. Majure (LS) 6-0, 6-1. No. 2 singles: Grant Melancon (BA) d. Mueller (LS) 6-0, 6-3. Championship: Melancon d. Pitts (LC) 6-3, 6-2.

No. 1 boys doubles: Graham Watson-Zac Smith (BA) d. Leggett-Gatewood (LC) 6-4, 6-2. Championship: Watson-Smith d. Martin-Waldron (LS).

No. 2 boys doubles: Danford-Chancellor (LC) d. Jacob Wiggins-Dawson Martin (BA) 6-3, 6-4.

Girls Results

No. 1 singles: Whitney Moak (BA) d. West (CP) 6-1, 6-4. Championship: Gibson (LS) d. Moak 6-1, 6-2.

No. 2 singles: Arrington (LS) d. Macey Lea (BA) 6-2, 6-3.

No. 1 doubles: Madison Warren-Marlee Watts (BA) d. Fisher-Napier (LC) 6-4, 6-4. Championship: Warren-Watts (BA) d. Koschanski-Varela (LS) 6-4, 6-0.

No.2 doubles: McLaurin-Tibbs (LC) d. Lindsey Winborne-Caroline Stewart (BA) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Mixed doubles: Jones-Wolf (LC) d. Trent Nettles-Missy Clanton (BA) 7-5, 7-5.