COLUMBIA — Here come the Brookhaven Academy Cougars. Powered byT-Boy Lynch’s 33-point outburst, the Cougars cruised past CopiahAcademy’s Colonels 66-40 Saturday night, clinching the District6-AA Tournament championship. The defending state champions got 12points from Corey Dickerson and 11 from Blaine Roberts.

In the girls title game, BA’s Lady Cougars mauled host ColumbiaAcademy 56-27, led by center Drew Holland Tigner’s 15 points. KaceyRutland chipped in 12 points.

Brookhaven Academy advances to the South State AA Tournament atCopiah Academy in Gallman this week. The Cougars and Lady Cougarsexpect to play either Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Cougars (25-5) were led on the backboardsby Lynch with 7 rebounds, plus 4 assists and 4 steals. DanielLofton had 6 rebounds. Roberts made 9 assists.

“We started off kind of slow and sluggish the first half but Iwas pleased with the way we came out in the third quarter,” said BAcoach Dale Watts. “We started shooting the ball better and ourguards played well.”

The Colonels (14-8) got 16 points from center Jake Guess.

Lynch, Dickerson, Roberts and Josh Winborne were named to theall-district team. Guess, Bennett Wilson and Hunter Greerrepresented Copiah.

Brookhaven 85, Prentiss 56

In Friday’s semifinals, the Cougars smashedPrentiss Christian school as Lynch and Dickerson each scored 18points. They were led on the backboards by Lofton with 10 rebounds,plus 4 assists. Lynch had 8 rebounds and 9 steals and 6assists.

Dickerson made a strong comeback from a sprained ankle sufferedtwo weeks ago against Copiah Academy.

The Lady Cougars (30-4) were led on the glassby Tigner who had 7 rebounds. Rutland had 5 rebounds and 4 steals.Casey Smith made 5 assists. Katie Nettles and Holly Case each had 4assists. Kelli Snider had 3 steals.

As a team, the BA girls had 20 assists, making it a teameffort.

“It was the best four quarters of basketball our girls haveplayed this year,” said BA coach Barry Gray. “I’m proud of them.They showed great unity and hustle.”

Tigner, Snider and Case were named to the All-District Team.Copiah was represented on the all-district team by Julie Hankinsand Emily Fahner.

Brookhaven 52, Amite School 34

The Lady Cougars, improved to 29-4 with the semifinalstournament win over the ASC Lady Rebels.

Powering Brookhaven with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 7 steals wasTigner. Snider fired in 14 points, including 3 treys. Case finishedwith 8 points, 3 steals and 4 assists. Rutland pulled down 6rebounds.

Brittany Ann Harden led Amite School Center (17-15) with 17points. The Lady Rebels beat Copiah in Saturday’s consolationfinals.