DAILY LEADER / MARTY ALBRIGHT / Todd Gagliano (left), Madison Warren and Zac Smith are excited to be representing Brookhaven Academy in the MAIS All-Star basketball game Friday at Jackson Prep.

Senior basketball members Madison Warren, Zac Smith, Todd Gagliano and senior soccer members Jordan Lea and Grant Melancon will have a chance to represent Brookhaven Academy one more time on the hard wood and soccer field as they participate in the MAIS All-Star Games this Thursday and Friday night at Jackson Prep.

Melancon and Lea will put their skills to the test Thursday as they suit up to play soccer together starting at 3:30 p.m.

Gagliano will see action Thursday night as he will be representing BA in a three-point shootout special. Warren and Smith will lace up their sneakers for hardwood action Friday as they prepare to have some fun in girls’ and boys’ basketball action.

All players will report Wednesday to start preparing for this exciting event.

Jordan Lea, 17, is the son of Jeff and Lisa Lea. He plays the sweeper position for BA on the soccer field.

Jordan stated that he gives all the credit of becoming a good soccer player to his coach. “He knows the game really well and he is a great teacher of the game.”

Jordan’s favorite memory at BA was when the Cougars beat Laurel in a shootout 3-2 for the first time in school history.

After graduation, Jordan plans to attend Co-Lin to begin majoring in finances and then move on to Mississippi College.

Grant Melancon, 17, is the son of Terri and the late Anthony Melancon. Grant plays the mid fielder position for the Cougars.

Grant’s favorite hobbies outside of the sports world is playing the piano and Ping Pong. His favorite food is crab legs and he enjoys watching the Seattle Sounders, a semi-pro soccer club team.

Grant commented on their soccer season. “This was an exciting season, but also sad since it is my senior year. I’m going to miss this sport and my teammates.”

Grant plans to attend Mississippi College to major in finances.

Todd Gagliano, 17, is the son of Stacie and Tony Gagliano. During is his senior year, Todd came off the bench and played the guard position.

Todd will put his sharp shooting skills to the test as he participates in the three-point shootout.

Todd stated that he has really enjoyed his senior year on the basketball court and in school.

Outside of the sports world, Todd loves to hunt and fish. His favorite food and dessert is pizza and cake. His favorite college and pro sport team is LSU and Miami Heat.

Madison Warren, 18, is the daughter of Angie and Beck Warren. Madison started for the Lady Cougars as the point guard. In her senior year, she average 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game for the season.

Madison gives all the credit of becoming such a good ball player to her dad. “My Daddy had worked with me since I was in the first grade. He has pushed me through the years. I cannot thank him enough.”

Madison stated that her favorite memory of her senior year was doing squats during basketball practice with heavy basketballs and Coach Mack Gardner turning on the song “Dirty Pop” by NSYNC.

Madison plans to attend Mississippi State in the fall to start majoring in chemistry to become a dentist.

Zac Smith, 18, is the son of Rachel and Juan Smith. Zac started for the Cougars as the point guard. He averaged 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game for BA in his senior year.

Zac plans to work hard in practice this week with his teammates on the south all-state team so they can beat the North team.

Zac commented on his senior year on the basketball team. “This was a fun season, even though we came up short of our goal to win a state championship.

Smith plans to attend Mississippi College to major in Dentistry.

Here is an interesting fact for BA basketball, Warren, Smith and Gagliano helped their team finish in the top five of the MAIS poll as the Lady Cougars placed fifth and the Cougars were fourth. Brookhaven Academy was also the only school to have both basketball teams to finish in the final four of the State AA Championship.

DAILY LEADER / SHERYLYN EVANS / Grant Melancon and Jordan Lea will put their soccer talents to the test as they represent Brookhaven Academy in the MAIS All-Star soccer game Thursday at Jackson Prep.