DAILY LEADER / SHERYLYN EVANS / Brookhaven Academy’s Peyton Hood (32) looks for help as Central Hinds’ Bruce Agee (33) reaches in for the steal in District 5-AA action Friday night.

The Brookhaven Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars did not let the Cougars of Central Hinds spoil their special night Friday as their faithful fans gathered to celebrate Senior Night and show their support in a special ceremony for BA’s own Corey Dickerson whose high school baseball jersey was retired in John R. Gray Gymnasium.

In the girls’ game, the Lady Cougars of Brookhaven overcame a sluggish first half to defeat Central Hinds 46-29.

In boys’ action, BA’s second half explosion propelled the Cougars over Central Hinds 60-49.

Brookhaven Academy returns to action Monday as they prepare to invade Gallman to battle their long time rivals, the Copiah Academy Colonels, for four games. The junior varsity girls will start the action at 3:15 p.m.

BA 46, Central Hinds 29 

After taking a narrow one-point lead to the locker room at halftime, the BA Lady Cougars outscored the Central Hinds Lady Cougars 27 – 13 in the second half en-route to a 46 – 29 conference 5AA victory Friday night.

The Lady Cougars knocked down six three-point shots in the second half to pull away from the Lady Cougars from Raymond and never relinquished the comfortable margin.

“We played a solid basketball game tonight, executing our offense, controlling the tempo and knocking down key shots,” said BA head coach Mack Gardner. “I’m really proud of our seniors on their special recognition night and the leadership they provide our ball team.”

Senior guard Madison Warren led the Lady Cougars attack with 17 points. Hillary Wilson contributed 12 on four three-point baskets and Mary Claire White added 9 points to the BA total.

Mary Beth Hale paced Central Hinds with 13 point on the evening.

The Lady Cougars of Brookhaven are 16-11 on the season and 7 – 1 in District 5AA play and will face Central Hinds in first round district tournament action, which starts Friday night in Raymond.

BA 60, Central Hinds 49 

Brookhaven Academy and Central Hinds provided an exciting game for their basketball fans as both teams fought hard in the first half, but the Jackson-based Cougars managed to take a 31-22 lead into halftime.

In the second half, BA (19-6, 7-1) came out on fire and torched Central Hinds 23-4 in the third quarter and continued to roll in the fourth quarter with a 15-14 run to secure the win.

Junior forward Peyton Hood pumped in a game-high 30 points to spark the Brookhaven-based Cougars. Hood also was the leader on the boards with 9 rebounds. Senior guard Zac Smith fueled the flames with 11 points. Joshua Wiggins chipped in 10 points.

Trae Muse was the only player for Central Hinds to score in double digits as he led with 13 points and had 6 rebounds.