The defending MAIS AA state champion Brookhaven Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars tipped off their 2018-19 campaign in the River City of Natchez as they matched up with the Cathedral Green Wave.  The Lady Cougars waltzed their way to a 57-27 win while the Cougars rode the Wave in a close one, pulling out a 47-44 win.

In the girls’ game the Lady Cougars took control from the opening tip by jumping out to a quick 9-0 lead that put the Lady Wave in the rear-view mirror as they did not look back from there on the way to a decisive 30-point victory.

Senior Jana Case led BA and all scorers with a 27-point night.  Makayla Martin tossed in 12 points while Anne Brantley Warren posted nine points to the Lady Cougar scoring ledger.  Case pulled down a game high 11 rebounds while Warren dished out eight assists and picked up four steals. Bailey Graning led Cathedral with eight points.

In varsity boys’ action, the Cougars held a comfortable 25-16 halftime lead behind the long-range shooting of senior Tanner Thurman.  Never quitting, the Green Wave went on an 8-0 run to start the 4th quarter and cut the Cougar lead to a single point.  Back-to-back old fashioned 3-point plays from BA point guard Britton Nelson was enough to hold of the Cathedral charge and secure the 47-44 win. 

Thurman paced the boys in blue with a 16-point outing.  Nelson chipped in 14 points and Tyler Fortenberry tossed in 10 towards the Cougars cause.  Nelson handed out 5 assists in his busy night of work.  Colby Passman led the Green Wave with 14 points.

In the junior high contests, the Lady Cougars dropped a close one 22-17 while Cathedral boys cruised to a 44-23 win over the junior high Cougars.

BA will see their first home action today versus the Amite School Center Rebels.  Junior high girls’ action will start at 4 p.m. followed by junior high boys at 5 p.m., varsity girls at 6 p.m. and conclude with the varsity boys in the nightcap.