LAKE PROVIDENCE, La. — It was a good night for Tensas Academy’s varsity basketball teams as both the Lady Chiefs and the Chiefs defeated Briarfield Academy Monday night.

In the varsity girls’ game, Hali Matthews scored 19 points and made a big impact with her defense as the Lady Chiefs avenged a previous loss to Briarfield with a 34-27 win over the Lady Rebels.

“Our girls made a big improvement from the first time we played Briarfield (Nov. 28). They beat us by about 15 points at St. Joseph. We closed a gap of 22 or 23 points,” head coach Nicky Peré said. “Their best two players, we locked on those two the whole game.”

Tensas Academy (2-4) went pulled away from Briarfield in the last half of the fourth quarter to pull away for the victory. And as Peré added, the Lady Chiefs won this game with defense. They trailed at halftime 17-15 before turning the momentum in their favor in the third quarter.

“It was a big win for our girls. Hali played a heck of a game. She’s a really good defensive player. She got several steals she converted into baskets. We’ve got to keep playing the we played tonight,” Pere’ said.

Madison Keyes added 10 points for the Lady Chiefs, who host Franklin Academy on Friday night.

Tensas Academy boys 57,

Briarfield Academy 42

As for the varsity boys’ game, Tensas Academy jumped out on Briarfield from the outset and never looked back as the Chiefs took a 15-pont win over the Rebels

The Chiefs were led by Farrel Keahey, who led all scorers with 24 points. This just three days after playing on the South team in the MAIS All-Star Football Game.

“We’re just getting them out of football. It took (Farrel) a little while to get going again, but he played a really good game.”

Tensas Academy’s varsity boys’ team, which is coached by Britt Keahey, had its way with Briarfield for the majority of this game. The Chiefs jumped out to an 18-6 lead after one quarter of play and the Rebels were unable to counter with a run of their own.

“We just kind of cruised tonight. We had a 10- to 12-point lead throughout the game. Britt played nine boys tonight. It was a total team effort on the boys’ part,” Peré said. “The boys have won three of the last four games they’ve played.”

Rush Capdepon had 12 points and Blaine Fletcher chipped in with eight points for Tensas Academy (3-3). The Chiefs begin MAIS District 6-A action tonight when they host Chamberlain-Hunt.