RIDGELAND – Brookhaven Academy senior Will Hickman set the pace and led the Cougars to an unprecedented ninth straight MAIS Class AA State Tennis Tournament title Wednesday at the Ridgeland Tennis Center. Hickman prevailed in No. 1 boys singles, beating David McElwain of Oak Hill 6-1, 6-2 in the title match.

Grant Melancon, competing in No. 2 boys singles, also brought home a title as the Cougars won 4-3 over Yazoo City Manchester. He beat Stevens of Oak Hill 6-2, 6-1 in the finals.

“It was touch and go, with no margin for error,” said BA tennis Coach David Misner. “It ended up being very gratifying.”

Misner is in his fifth year at the helm of the BA tennis program.

Hickman and Melancon provided all of the points for the Cougars.

In No. 1 boys doubles, Graham Watson and Zac Smith lost a 6-1, 6-2 decision against Baskin-Moore of Winston in the semifinals.

In the girls bracket, Madison Warren and Marlee Watts captured No. 1 doubles with a 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 split-set win over Barbour-Peaster of Manchester and scored 2 points.

Lamar School of Meridian won the girls team title with 5 1/2 points. Oak Hill scored 4 points and was runner-up.

BA freshman Whitney Moak lost to Anna Ready of Oak Hill, 6-2, 6-0, in No. 1 girls singles.

Brookhaven Academy Results

No.1 boys singles: Will Hickman (BA) d. Dent (Manchester) 6-1, 6-0. Finals: Hickman d. David McElwain (Oak Hill) 6-2, 6-1.

No. 2 boys singles: Grant Melancon (BA) d. Rogers (Winston) 6-0, 6-1. Melancon d. Stevens (Oak Hill) 6-2, 6-1.

No. 1 boys doubles: Baskin-Moore (Winston) d. Graham Watson-Zac Smith (BA) 6-1, 6-2.

No. 1 girls doubles: Madison Warren-Marlee Watts (BA) d. Key-Peoples (Leake) 6-3, 6-2.

Finals: Warren-Watts d. Barbour-Peaster (Manchester) 6-4, 0-6, 6-3.

No. 1 girls singles: Anna Ready(Oak Hill) d Whitney Moak (BA) 6-2, 6-0