The Brookhaven Academy Cougar tennis team won the South State AATournament championship Wednesday at the Brookhaven Country Club.Brookhaven Academy plays in the state tournament on Wednesday, May7, at the Ridgeland Tennis Center.

Brookhaven Academy is the defending State Champ in boys andgirls divisions.

The Brookhaven Academy boys dominated the competition, capturing7 points while Presbyterian Christian School was second with 3points.

The Lady Cougars won 5-4 following a Thursday morning ruling bythe Mississippi Private School Association. Brookhaven and EastRankin were tied 4-all and it was unclear on how to determine thewinner.

Jerrod Rayborn, playing the No. 1 boys singles spot forBrookhaven, won 2 points with his 6-0, 6-2 win over East Rankin andhis 6-3, 6-2 victory against Chamberlain Hunt’s Adam Burks.

“Jerrod is good at finding out what it will take to defeat hisopponent and then adjusting his game accordingly,” said BrookhavenAcademy tennis coach Velma Estess.

Brookhaven seniors Jimmy Latham and Craig Smith, at No. 1 boysdoubles, got 2 team points after beating East Rankin 6-1, 6-0 andSimpson 6-2, 7-3.

“These guys hare every team’s dream,” said Estess. “They’re bothso athletic and just a lot of fun to watch.”

The No. 2 boys doubles team of Ben Rowley and Chris Hooper fromBrookhaven posted two points with their 6-1, 6-1 win over EastRankin and a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Silliman.

At No. 1 girls singles, Brookhaven’s Anna C. Moak won her firstround 6-1, 6-2 against Central Hinds before falling to EastRankin’s Sierra Woolery. Moak earned 1 point.

Lady Cougar Sarah Taylor, playing the No. 2 girls spot, fell toEast Rankin’s Amy Cole 6-0, 6-1.

The Brookhaven No. 1 girls doubles team of Abby Day and HannahEstess was upset by Simpson 6-3, 6-2. Simpson played a lobbing gameand the Brookhaven team couldn’t adjust. The Day-Estess team cameinto the tourney undefeated.

The undefeated No. 2 Brookhaven girls team of Brittany Weeks andKatie Ryan won two points after eliminating East Rankin 6-0, 6-1and Silliman 7-5, 6-2.

The Cougar mixed doubles team of Anna King and Collins Case won2 point with a 6-3, 6-1 win over East Rankin and a 6-2, 6-1 victoryover Silliman.