DAILY LEADER / SHERYLYN EVANS / Brookhaven Academy’s Drake Flowers (14) launches a one handed shot over a pair Central Hinds Academy defenders Tuesday night in John R. Gymnasium. The Cougars celebrate Senior Night with a pair of wins.

The Brookhaven Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars celebrated Senior Night Tuesday night with a pair of District 5AA victories over the Central Hinds Cougars in John R. Gray Gymnasium

In the girls contest, the Lincoln County-based Lady Cougars roared past Central Hinds to claim a 52-37 victory.

In the boys’ game, BA survived a defensive battle against Central Hinds to earn a 33-26 win. Both BA teams clinched the No. 2 seed in the division race as prepare for the District Tournament next week at Prentiss Christian.

Brookhaven Academy will resume action this week as they travel to Mendenhall Friday night to face the Simpson Academy Cougars for two varsity games. The girls will tip off the action at 6 p.m., followed by the boys.

BA 52, Central Hinds 37 

The BA Lady Cougars quickly overpowered Central Hinds in the first quarter of action as they roar to an 12-2 lead and continued increase their lead in the second quarter to take a 22-15 lead into halftime.

In the second half, BA (10-17, 5-2) continued to apply pressure on Central Hinds as they outscored Central Hinds 30-22 in the last two quarters to collect the win.

Hillary Wilson powered the Lincoln County-based Lady Cougars with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Anna Michael Smith contributed 11 points and grabbed four rebounds. Mary Claire White was the leader on the boards with eight rebounds. Alexis Byrd chipped in with nine points and Anna Kathryn Smith added six points.

Kayla Kellum paced Central Hinds offense with 14 points. Summer Hartley scored 11 points.

BA 33, Central Hinds 26 

Prior to the boys contest, BA had a special presentation for Russ Michael Mangold as well. He would have been a member of this senior class. Mangold died in an accident in Kindergarten. The boys team started with their four senior starters on the floor and had Russ Michael Mangold on the roster as an honorary starter for the tip off.

In the boys game, the BA and Central Hinds fans watched a defensive battle as the Lincoln County-based Cougars took a 18-16 lead into halftime.

In the second half, both teams continued their defensive bout. Central Hinds charge back to take a 26-25 lead at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, BA held Central Hinds scoreless as they went on a 8-0 run to clinch the win.

Senior forward Peyton Hood directed BA’s offense with 19 points, four steals and had seven rebounds. Caleb Brown contributed six points. Trent Nettles provided four points and two rebounds. Drake Flowers helped on the boards with five rebounds and added four points.

Evan Sprackler was the scoring leader for Central Hinds with eight points. Tanner Leggett provided seven points. Peyton Banes netted six points.