GALLMAN — Fresh from bringing the District 6-AA Tournamentchampionship trophies back to Brookhaven, the Brookhaven AcademyCougars and Lady Cougars are after a bigger prize this week. Theytook the first step in capturing the AA South State crown as bothteams bagged Wednesday victories in the second round of the Southtourney at Copiah Academy.

The Lady Cougars dodged a bullet from the upset-minded BowlingGreen Lady Buccaneers as Drew Holland Tigner scored a game-high 26points to lead the Lady Cougars to a 45-37 win.

In the boys game, T-Boy Lynch scored a game-high 35 points, had9 steals and dished out 8 assists as the Cougars rolled over theVicksburg Porter’s Chapel Eagles 83-51.

Brookhaven 83, Porter’s Chapel 51

Brookhaven Academy boys coach Dale Watts saw his team take a17-4 advantage out of the gates and never look back as the Cougarsput three players in double figures. Corey Dickerson added 15points in support of Lynch and Sawyer Wallace scored 10 points asBrookhaven improved to 25-5 on the year.

Porter’s Chapel never got within 16 points in the game.

“It was a sloppy, good win,” said Watts. “We did some thingswell, but we were awful at some things. We still have a lot of workto do to be able to beat good teams.”

Hayden Hales led the Eagles with 26 points, but it wasn’t enoughas Brookhaven’s defense terrorized the Eagles, forcing 29turnovers.

Brookhaven advances to meet Bowling Green Friday night in thesemifinals at 7:15. Both Brookhaven and Bowling Green are assured aspot in next week’s MPSA Class AA State Tournament at BrookhavenAcademy.

Brookhaven 45, Bowling Green 37

The Lady Cougars had defeated Bowling Green twice during theregular season, but Wednesday night’s meeting proved to be thetoughest as the Lady Bucs stayed close until the very end.Brookhaven held Bowling Green to just three points in the openingquarter, but the Lady Bucs came back with an 11-8 second frame,giving Brookhaven a slim 15-14 lead at the half.

Kelli Snider added 9 points in support of Tigner, and HannahWatts scored four points, including 2 clutch free throws with undera minute to go to seal the win for the Lady Cougars. Brookhavenimproved to 31-4 on the year.

The Lady Cougars advance to face the winner of Silliman, La. andAdams County Christian School game Friday afternoon at 2:15. Theyalso assured themselves a spot in next week’s AA State Tournamentin John R. Gray Gymnasium. Like the boys, they’ll play againSaturday, either in the consolation or championship games.

Kayla Cotton led Bowling Green with 17 points. Gabby Givensadded 10 points as the Lady Bucs ended their season.