Colonels pound Ben’s Ford

By James Beasley

The Copiah Academy Colonels outscored Ben’s Ford (LA) 23-7 in the third quarter and enroute to a 63-49 win in the consolation game of the Brookhaven Academy Invitational last week.

Ben’s Ford led 14-12 after one quarter, but CA went on a 16-10 run in the second period to grab a 28-24 halftime lead. The Colonels, 4-8, then took control and led 51-31 heading into the final stanza.

Reece Hankins had a game-high 22 points for the winners, including a trio of 3-pointers. Russell Hood also had 3 treys and a total of 13 points. Other Copiah totals included Ben Boone and Michael Bagley with 9 points each, Rob Pyron with 6 points, Adam Ganucheau with 2 points, and Brandon Smith and Drew Granger with one point apiece.

 Earlier in the week, CA came out on the short end of a 64-33 score against the host Brookhaven Academy Cougars. Brookhaven jumped in front 21-3 in the first quarter and never looked back. The Cougars led 41-17 at the half, and then outscored the Colonels 20-4 in the third period to secure the victory.

Hankins scored 10 points in a losing effort. Close behind were teammates Michael Bagley and Drew Granger with 8 points each. Rounding out the Colonel scoring were Hood and Ganucheau with 4 and 3 points, respectively.

Girls Action

In girls’ action, the Bowling Green Lady Bucs edged Copiah Academy in each quarter as they registered a 44-30 win in the opening day of the Brookhaven Tourney last week.

Bowling Green led 12-11 after one quarter, increased the lead to 22-16 at the half, and pulled away in the final half, outscoring CA 22-14.

Senior Madelon Cline led Copiah with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Other Lady Colonel totals included Camryn Mitchell with 6 points, Rachel Strait with 5 points, Elizabeth Cliburn and Mary Landrum Pyron with 2 points apiece, and Kacie Berry with one point.

In Wednesday’s consolation game, Trinity Episcopal pulled away, outscoring CA 12-7 in the final eight minutes, to secure a 42-31 win.

The Lady Saints led 13-5 after one quarter, but the Lady Colonels rallied over the next two periods, cutting the margin to 28-23 and setting the stage for the pivotal fourth quarter.

Strait led Copiah with 9 points, followed by Cline with 7 points. Courtney Beach, seeing her first action of the season following an injury and illness, had 4 points for the Lady Colonels. Other CA totals included Lori Baham and Mitchell with 3 points each, Cliburn and Kacie Berry with 2 points apiece, and Pyron with one point.