COLUMBIA — Brookhaven Academy’s basketball teams got a strongstart in the opening round of the MPSA South State AATournament atColumbia Academy Wednesday night as both teams cruised to bigvictories over their respective opponents. The Cougars trashed theCentral Private Rebels 86-48 and the Lady Cougars overcame asluggish first half to beat the Bowling Green Lady Buccaneers52-35.

The Cougars advance to meet Bowling Green Friday at 6 p.m. inthe semifinals and the Lady Cougars face the winner of theCopiah-Oak Forest game at 1 p.m. Friday. Both teams are assured aspot in the AA State Tournament next week at Kirk Academy inGrenada.

The top four teams out of each bracket will play Saturday,either in the South consolation or championship games.

Brookhaven 86 Central Private 48

Senior guard Corey Dickerson scored a game-high 29 points,pulled down 5 rebounds and dished out 6 assists to lead Brookhavenas the Cougars overcame a 16-16 deadlock with the Rebels and took a45-24 lead at the break. Junior guard Blaine Roberts added 27points in support as the Brookhaven-coach Dale Watts squad improvedto 23-6 on the year.

Brookhaven shot a blistering 66 percent from the floor,outscoring the Rebels 52-23 in the second and third quarters. JoshWinborne added 13 points for Brookhaven. Daniel Lofton dished out 9assists.

Central Private got 15 points from Josh Sides. Jeff Martrainfollowed with 11 points.

Brookhaven 52, Bowling Green 35

Senior forward Hannah Watts scored a game-high 13 points andBetsy Lynch and Anna Katelyn Mangold each scored 9 points as theLady Cougars overcame a cold first half offensively to take a17-point win over the Lady Bucs. Nicole Smith pulled down 9rebounds.

Brookhaven, coached by Barry Gray, improved to 28-3 on theseason. The Lady Cougars are trying to win their second consecutiveAA South State crown and eighth in the last nine years.

Cadie Robertson scored 9 points to lead Bowling Green. VickyVolz, Colbie Robertson, and Gabby Givens each scored 6 points insupport.