CLINTON — The Brookhaven Academy boys basketball teams hasgained quite a reputation throughout the MPSA in the past fewseasons. Many consider them to be one of the top three teams in theMPSA, and for good reason as the Cougars have amassed a 52-3 recorddating back to last season.

Well known Mississippi radio personality Russ Robinson, who doesplay by play for Jackson Prep, even complimented the CougarsThursday night as Brookhaven prepared to meet Prep in the ChoctawClassic at A.E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of MississippiCollege.

Robinson put his opinion of the Cougars plain and simple to acompanion: “Have you ever seen this team play? They’re like awell-oiled machine. They play so well it’s almost like they mustpractice year round to be as good as they are as a team.”

The Cougars made sure that Robinson and Cougar fans alikewouldn’t go home disappointed as they held off a late charge byPrep, before prevailing with a 57-46 victory of the Patriots.

Jeremy Winborne scored a game-high 18 points and pulled down 16rebounds to go along with 7 steals as Brookhaven improved to 20-1on the season and beat Prep for the third consecutive time. Prepfell to 11-4.

Brookhaven jumped out to a 15-9 lead after one quarter andappeared to be on the way to yet another easy victory but Prep keptcoming back. The Patriots closed the lead to 26-22 at the half andonly trailed by one point going into the final quarter.

Prep finally caught Brookhaven and tied the game at 36 with 6minutes remaining in the game, but the Cougars were able to puttogether a run and seal the victory.

“Coach (Dale Watts) told us to stay sharp in our execution andwork harder defensively,” said Winborne. “We didn’t really playthat well in the first half and Prep played a little tighter ondefense in the second half but we were able to step it up and winthe game.”

Winborne almost single-handedly put the game out of reach forPrep as he went 5-7 from the charity strip in the final 6 minutesto seal the win.

Kurt Perkins was close behind Winborne, scoring 17 points anddishing out 5 assists.

Andrew Brooks led the Patriots with 13 points in the game. BobHouse followed with 10 points.

Brookhaven travels to Columbia tonight for a key district game.Tip-off in the first game is scheduled for 3:30.

Brookhaven 57, Jackson Prep 46

Brookhaven (57) Jeremy Winborne 18, Kurt Perkins 17, Davis 9,Lynch 7, Gray 3, Dickerson 3.

Jackson Prep (46) Andrew Brooks 13, House 10, Houchins 8, Hood7, Morris 4, Leavell 4.

Free Throws: M-A: Brookhaven 12-21. Prep 3-7.

Total Fouls: Brookhaven 11, Prep 16. Fouled Out: none.Technicals: Prep (McVey).

3-Point Goals: Brookhaven 5 (Perkins 2, Davis, Dickerson, Gray)Prep 3( Houchins 2, Hood).

Jackson Prep

9

13

14

10

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46

Brookhaven Acad.

15

11

11

20

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57