The Brookhaven Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars kicked off District 3-AA tournament play at Sylva Bay Academy in high gear Thursday afternoon in hopes of securing the top seed going into next week’s South State Tournament.

The Cougars routed the host Sylva Bay Saints by a score of 61-20, while the Lady Cougars showed no mercy on Prentiss Christian, posting a convincing 67-29 win.

In varsity boys’ action, the Cougars roared out to a comfortable 41-16 halftime lead and coasted to the finish line from there. Senior Ethan Nations paced the Cougars with a 17-point, eight-rebound performance. Cade Brown added 10 points, while Dawson Flowers tossed in nine points in support. Flowers also picked up eight rebounds and dished out four assists in his busy afternoon of work.

Phillip Anderson led Sylva Bay with six points.

The Lady Cougars came out hoping to keep their hot streak going with a relentless offensive attack and high-pressure defense. Responding to the task, the Lady Cougars took an impressive 25-point lead to the locker room at the midway break and didn’t look back from there.

Junior Jana Case led the Lady Cougars with 22 points. Case also pulled down seven rebounds. Eighth-grader Anne Brantley Warren added 11 points and had six steals to her credit. Makayla Martin handed out four assists, leading BA in the distribution category.

Hannah Lee had 15 points to lead the Lady Saints.

BA is back in action tonight for the district finals, as the Lady Cougars will face off with Newton County Academy and the boys will do battle with Clinton Christian. Girls’ first tip is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., followed immediately by the boys’ contest.