LEXINGTON — For about a quarter, Brooks' boys kept settling for long jump shots, and they weren't falling.

The Lions eventually heeded the instruction of their coach. They worked the ball inside out, fed post player Cole Blackstock and pulled away with a momentum-seizing second-quarter run in a 63-42 win against Central in their Lauderdale County high school basketball tournament opener.

"Yeah, I told them about 10 times," Brooks coach Brian Wright said about wanting the Lions to work the ball inside. "But we had to figure it out the hard way. I thought we came out with poor focus and lack of intensity, but I thought Cole changed the game when he came in. He's getting better and better in practice everyday."

Blackstock came off the bench to total 16 points and eight rebounds, several of those coming during a 24-8 second-quarter run that saw defending county champion Brooks turn a two-point advantage at the end of the first quarter in a 37-19 halftime lead.

Blackstock, who has come on this year to help fill in for injured post player Paden Smith, also blocked three shots.

Holden Corum led all scorers with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He helped Brooks find its shooting touch after its cold start, sinking 3 of 4 3-pointers, and added eight rebounds.

"It was kind of one of those nights I guess. We started slow but we came around," Corum said. "Cole has a big body and works hard down there. We wanted to get the ball in to him. After we did, we started to find some good, open shots."

Central never led but hung around for the first quarter, tying it at 11 on Cole Michael's basket with 27 seconds left in the period.

Desmond Koger scored a team-high 11 points to go with five rebounds for the Wildcats. Michael finished with 9.

Central never got closer than 18 in the second half and had 21 turnovers to Brooks' 13.

Sixteen of Brooks' 19 baskets were scored in the paint.

Bryan can be reached at 256-740-5730 or shoalspreps@gmail.com. Follow @bappster on Twitter.