McCOMB — Brookhaven returned from the Christmas break Mondayafternoon, to participate in the 2005 McComb/Coca-Cola InvitationalTournament. The 3-day, round-robin format features teams fromMississippi (Amite Co., Brookhaven, McComb) against Louisiana(Hammond, Ponchatoula, St. Helena).

Ole Brook dropped a pair against Hammond, falling 53-37 in thegirls game and 51-44 in the boys game.

In other tournament action, the St. Helena Lady Hawks defeatedthe Amite Co. Lady Trojans 43-40; while the St. Helena boyscompleted the sweep with 65-53 win over the Amite Co. Trojans.

The Ponchatoula Lady Wave escaped the McComb Lady Tigers with a48-43 win. The McComb boys got by Ponchatoula 64-49.

Tournament play continued today beginning at 11 a.m. with theSt. Helena/Amite Co. girls, followed by the boys matchup at 1 p.m.Brookhaven meets Ponchatoula (La.) at 2:30 (girls) and 4 (boys).McComb plays St. Helena at 5:30 and 7.

Hammond 53, Brookhaven 37

The Lady Panthers (5-8) used an inside/outsidecombination to foster a 14-8 lead heading into the second frame.Sophomore center Swayze Black tossed in 5 points, while seniorguard Blanche Wilson sacked a pair of treys (6 points) in theopening 8 minutes.

The Lady Tornadoes (15-3) used a 19-3 second quarter scoringspree to take a 10-point advantage, 27-17 at the halftime break.#11 and #30 combined for 13 points in the period. #11 finished witha game-high 17 points and 6 steals.

Black paced Ole Brook with 12 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blockedshots, 2 steals and 2 assists. Wilson followed with 11 points, 2steals and 2 assists.

Brookhaven, coached by Billy Holmes, outrebounded Hammond 21-13;but led in the turnover department 30-26. Each team shot 45 percentfrom the field; but the Lady Panthers made only 40 percent (9-22)from the charity stripe.

Hammond 51, Brookhaven 44

Neither team shot the basketball well, as each team shot 39percent from the field. The Tornadoes’ win was aided by a 21 of 37performance from the charity stripe. Hammond carried an 18-14 leadinto the second stanza, and led 30-17 at halftime.

The Panthers (2-12), coached by Ronald Hines, would not give upeasily. After trailing by as many as 17 points, Ole Brook climbedback into the contest. Sophomores Bobo Rancifer and SimmieYarborough led a second half surge. A Rancifer layup in the thirdcut the Panther deficit to 4 points at 33-29. Rancifer ledBrookhaven with 12 points and 6 steals, followed closely byYarborough with 11. That would as close as the Panthers wouldget.

The Wave, coached by Frederick Stewart, got a game-high 17points from Steve Dillon.

St. Helena 43, Amite Co. 40

The Lady Hawks were led by Sheena Taylor with 17 points,followed by Tabora Franklin with 10. The Lady Trojans got agame-high 18 points from Brittany Patterson.

St. Helena 65, Amite Co. 53

Nicholas Magee and Jeremy Snowden each tossed in 13 points forthe Hawks, while Deron Ross had 11.

The Trojans were led by Malcolm White with a game-high 29points.

Ponchatoula 48, McComb 43

The Lady Wave got a game-high 16 points from Danielle VickNairand 10 from Geisha McCalope. The Lady Tigers, coached by AngelaJohnson, were led by Carishian Patterson with 12 points, followedby LaAntria Martin with 10.

McComb 64, Ponchatoula 49

The Tigers, ranked No. 3 in the latest QHO Southwest MS PrepSuper Seven, placed 4 players in double figures; led by Otis Smithwith 15 points. Chris Anazia pumped in 14 points, while RotedderickCotton and Fred Harness each had 11 for head coach HiltonHarrell.

The Wave was paced by Cody McCalope with a game-high 21 points.Jarrod Joseph had 13 points.