The Brookhaven Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars waltzed their way into the District 3-AA tournament finals on Saturday with expectations to secure top seeding for this week’s South State tournament.

Up to the task, both BA squads responded to the call with solid performances, securing their respective district titles. The BA boys beat the Clinton Christian Warriors for a third time this season by a score of 56-42. Likewise, the Lady Cougars disposed of Newton County Academy with a convincing 54-34 win.

In varsity boys’ action, the Cougars (29-2) deployed a new look defense aimed at neutralizing CCA’s top scorers, and it worked to perfection. Coach Josh Watts and the boys in blue had everything going their way and a comfortable 30-11 halftime lead seemingly ready to blow out the dejected Warriors.

Sparked by a sequence of three-point baskets, Clinton Christian tried to make a run at the Cougars but could not close the gap inside a double-digit margin. Junior Dawson Flowers, in one of his best outings as a Cougar, led the way for BA with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Ethan Nations had 11 points and eight boards to his credit, while Cade Brown chipped in nine points in support of the win.

Zach Bauman led CCA with 18 points.

The Lady Cougars (26-5) jumped out quick, posting an 11-point advantage over the NCA Lady Generals after the first period of play and they didn’t look back from there. In their third meeting with Newton County Academy this season, the Lady Cougars’ offensive firepower again proved to be too much for the Lady Gens to handle — and just what the partisan BA faithful ordered to secure the district’s top spot.

Junior Jana Case led BA with a 26-point afternoon. Anne Brantley Warren added nine points to the total while Kailyn Jordan recorded eight points in the Lady Cougar scoring ledger.

Anna Claire Moody led Newton County Academy with 12 points.

BA is back in action this week as they travel to Minden, Louisiana, for AA South State Tournament action at Glenbrook Academy.

The Lady Cougars will face the winner of Amite School Center and Franklin Academy on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.

The Cougars will do battle with the winner of the contest between River Oaks School and Centreville Academy on Thursday at 7:45 p.m.