McComb was minus two starters Friday night but that didn’t slowdown the Lady Tigers in Sinclair Gymnasium. They dominatedBrookhaven’s Lady Panthers 59-36 in a key Divison 6-4A basketballshowdown, led by Aunjanque Miller’s 17 points and Portia Craft’s15.

McComb, coached by Angela Johnson, raised its record to 6-3overall and 2-0 in the division race. Ole Brook, shackled by cold25 percent shooting from the field, fell to 5-4 and 1-1.

“We have a lot of young kids and they play hard,” said Johnson,a former McComb All-State guard who played for Southern Miss. “Theyare starting to buy into our system. We can be competitive.”

Johnson said starting point guard Patrice Washington missed thegame due to an injury sustained at South Pike. An errant elbowknocked out both of Washington’s front teeth.

Another McComb starter, guard Tacara Garner, missed the game dueto a virus.

By contrast, BHS is still trying to learn how to play withoutthe services of All-State and SEC signees Nikki Byrd (Ole Miss) andSwayze Black (LSU). The third 6-footer, Whitley Shannon, alsograduated.

“McComb executed and we didn’t,” explained BHS coach Freda Craftwho had directed the Lady Panthers to state tournament appearancesthe last 2 years. “They have a lot of 3-point shooters but theyreally beat us on second shots. They attacked the boards.”

On the backboards, Miller, Shanekqua Bibbs each had 6 reboundsfor McComb. Dreka Dexter had 5 boards.

McComb sacked 5 treys, led by Miller’s trio.

The Lady Panthers battled McComb to a 12-12 first-quarter knotand trailed 21-17 at halftime. A driving layup by Bibbs gave McComba 13-point, 44-31 lead entering the fourth quarter.

BHS was led by guard Kearra Collins who collected 14 points and6 rebounds. She was the only play in double figures.

Maleysia Burnett had 6 rebounds for BHS.