The Brookhaven boys and girls basketball teams made their annualseven-mile trip west on Highway 550 to tangle with Lincoln Countyrival Loyd Star Thursday night. Four games were on the menu as twoJV games and two varsity games highlighted the evening’sactivities.

Brookhaven came away with four very impressive wins.

The Lady Panthers fought off a very stubborn Loyd Star LadyHornet ballclub 60-55. Senior forward Nikki Blakely led all scorerswith 20 points.

Loyd Star led Brookhaven 20-19 at the intermission. ThePanthers’ depth was too much for the Hornets in the second half toendure. Loyd Star suffered a heartbreaking 52-34 loss toBrookhaven.

In JV action, Brookhaven claimed a 42-18 win over Loyd Star inthe girls game, and posted a 54-25 victory in the JV boys game.

The Lady Panthers (8-6) dodged a major hurdle as they extendedtheir winning streak to three games. Brookhaven led 10-9 at the endof the first quarter and 32-25 at halftime.

Loyd Star (6-3), cut the lead to 44-43 heading into the finalstanza. Leah Smith contributed 14 of her team-high 18 points in thethird, including two 3-point baskets.

“We only had 11 turnovers tonight,” said Brookhaven head coachRonald Gill following the game. “Ayana (Tillman) had a goodgame.”

Tillman’s presence in the middle was too much for the LadyHornets to overcome.

“We had trouble getting on track because of Brookhaven’sheight,” said Loyd Star head coach Lori Britt.

Providing support for Brookhaven was Shameka Gilmore with 9rebounds and 5 steals. Julianna Wallace pulled down 8 rebounds anddished out 3 assists. Blakely and Tillman each pulled down 7rebounds.

Christie May fired in 13 points and pulled down 9 rebounds forthe Lady Hornets. Monica Townsend had 5 assists and 2 steals.

The Panthers (12-3) were taken out of their normal fast-pacedattack by Loyd Star in the first half. Brookhaven trailed 10-9after one period of play and 20-19 at intermission.

“The only way that we could play with them (Brookhaven) was toslow it down,” said Hornet head coach Gene “Moochie” Britt afterthe game. Their depth was too much for us.”

Junior guard Fred Mackabee scored all eight of his points in thethird quarter as Brookhaven opened up an 11-point lead at 39-28 tobegin the fourth quarter.

For Loyd Star, senior guard Brad Britt led with nine points, twosteals and two assists. Collecting six rebounds apiece wereDemarcus Barnes, Freddie Calcote, Jermaine Hunter and Seth Britt.Making two steals apiece were Seth Britt and Jared Britt.

In the JV girls game, Mandy Vinson led Brookhaven with 16points. Loyd Star was led by Felicia Henderson with eightpoints.

In the JV boys game, Gervarius Dickey pumped in 14 points forBrookhaven while Sidney Chester led Loyd Star with sevenpoints.

Both teams resume action tonight with Loyd Star traveling toSummit to meet North Pike. The JV girls game begins at 5 p.m.,followed by the varsity girls game at 6 p.m. and the varsity boysgame at 7:30 p.m.

Brookhaven treks to Magnolia to take on South Pike in anon-division affair. The JV action begins at 5 p.m., followed bythe varsity girls at 6 p.m. and the varsity boys at 7:30 p.m.