Simpson County Academy tried to run with the Brookhaven AcademyCougars Monday night in John R. Gray Gymnasium. It was a baddecision as the host Cougars cruised to a 90-49 victory, directedby Jeremy Winborne’s 22 points in the opening round of the HolidayClassic.

Brookhaven Academy (13-1) also got 19 points and 18 reboundsfrom Cole Hodges. Seth Davis chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds asthe Cougars advance to Wednesday’s semifinals and play CentralPrivate of Baker, La. at 8 p.m. Simpson (2-12) falls into theconsolation bracket and plays Copiah Academy today at 6:30.

In second round girls games today, Presbyterian Christian Schoolplays Copiah Academy at 4 p.m., Simpson plays Hillcrest Christianat 5:15 and Brookhaven Academy meets Oak Forest at 7:45. In theboys bracket, Hillcrest plays Delta Academy at 5:30 Wednesday.Delta advanced with a 63-36 win over Copiah.

Delta’s girls whipped Central Private 44-21 yesterday and playthe winner of the Copiah-PCS game Wednesday at 4:15.

The BA Cougars overwhelmed Simpson with theirfast-breaking offense, overcoming a series of first-half turnovers.BA head coach Dale Watts his team must develop bettercohesiveness.

“Our guys are playing hard but we have to get back in sync,”said Watts. “At halftime, I told them, ‘I don’t know what you’regoing to do and your teammates don’t know either.’ That makes itdifficult.

“We have a lot of balance so we are able to play team ball,”Watts pointed out. He only has 10 varsity players so there waslittle relief for Simpson when he substituted.

“Brookhaven Academy has a good team and they do a good job,”said Simpson head coach Tim Ellison. “Coach Watts is a great coachand he was very gracious to us.”

Ellison was head football coach at Copiah Academy in 2002 beforehe was fired. He went to Simpson, first as an assistant footballcoach. He became head basketball coach this year.

Ellison has only one senior starter in Zane Crayton. His teamgot 12 points from center Clark Wallace and 10 from Whit Ross.

Brookhaven roared to a 52-20 halftime lead, sparked byWinborne’s 18 first-half points.

The rout continued in the third frame as Brookhaven hiked itslead to 35 points, 74-39. A short jumper by Seth Davis put thehosts up 80-43 with 5:02 left in the game. Guard Alan Graycontributed 10 rebounds and 5 steals to the victory.

Delta 44, Central Private 21

Thirteen points by Sarah Grace Long, 12 by Graham Carson and 10by Megan Green powered Delta’s win over the Central Privategirls.

Central Private got 7 points from Ashley Pears and SonniKirkwood.

Delta 63, Copiah 36

Lee Thompson’s 19 points powered Delta past Copiah. Bret Allredand Ty Sinquefield chipped in 10 points apiece.

Copiah got 16 points from Jake Guess. Will Ervin and BennettWilson both had 5 points.