JACKSON – The Brookhaven Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars began division action Thursday night and defeated the Central Hinds Academy Cougars in a pair of varsity games in MAIS basketball action.

In the girls contest, the BA Lady Cougars crushed Central Hinds 40-25.

In boys’ action, the Brookhaven Academy boys’ team squeezed past Central Hinds 53-50.

Brookhaven Academy resumes action Saturday as they travel to Baker, Louisiana to take the Central Private Rebels in four games. Junior high action starts at 12 p.m., followed by the varsity games.

Brookhaven Acad. 40, Central Hinds 25 

The Lincoln County based Lady Cougars (4-16, 1-0) captured their fourth win of the season, but manage to start of their division race undefeated.

Anna Kathryn Smith was the top scorer for BA with 11 points. Hillary Wilson chipped in with nine points. Anna Michael Smith netted six points and Mary Claire White provided five points in the victory.

Brookhaven Acad. 53, Central Hinds 50 

BA and Central Hinds came out in the opening quarter and battled in a close contest, before BA managed to pull away to end the first quarter with a 14-9 lead.

In the second quarter, BA continued their offensive rythym to increase their lead with a 15-6 run to take a 29-15 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Central Hinds rallied back to outscored Brookhaven Academy 35-24 in the final two frames of action, but the Lincoln County based Cougars managed to hold on to capture the victory.

BA (11-8)had three players to score in double figures as Caleb Brown lead the charge with 19 points, six assists and four rebounds. Peyton Hood chipped in with 18 points and was the leader on the boards with six rebounds. Drake Flowers provided 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.

Bruce Agee paced the Central Hinds’ offense with 14 points. Evan Sprackler contributed 10 points. Peyton Banes added nine points.

In junior high girls action,  the BA Lady Cougars lost to Central Hinds 42-31. K.K. Jordan led BA with 18 points.