The Brookhaven Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars began the district tournament Tuesday afternoon with hopes of punching their ticket in qualifying games to next week’s South State Tournament. The Cougars did their part and won the opening game against the Natchez Cathedral Green Wave by a score of 56-42. The Lady Cougars, however, came up short in their attempt to beat Simpson Academy for a third time this season falling 58-49.

BA Cougars 56, Natchez Cathedral 42

The BA Cougars (23-10) used a 16-4 run in the second quarter to put space between them and the Cathedral Green Wave to capture their 56-42 district tournament win. Ethan Nations led the Cougars in scoring with 19 points and nine rebounds. Tate Felder and Luke Jackson each had 10 points while Dawson Flowers chipped in nine points and reeled in 12 rebounds. Derrion Batieste had 18 points to lead the Green Wave.

With the win, the Brookhaven Academy Cougars advance to the semifinals of the District IV AAA tournament and will face Simpson Academy at home Friday night. Tipoff is set for 7:45 p.m. at John R. Gray gymnasium.

Simpson Academy 58, BA Lady Cougars 49

The BA Lady Cougars (22-11) trailed Simpson by three points going into the fourth quarter of play, but saw their hopes of staying alive in the District IV AAA tournament fade quickly. Simpson Academy outscored BA 15-9 in the final frame en route to the 58-49 and ended the 2016-17 season for the Lady Cougars.

Senior Sissy Byrd led the Lady Cougars in scoring with12 points on the afternoon. Kailyn Jordan and Anna Michael Smith added nine points and eight points, respectively, for Brookhaven Academy. TK Catchings led Simpson Academy with 19 points.