Brookhaven High School cross country, slowpitch softball andfootball players, plus the cheerleaders, were honored Thursdaynight at the BHS Fall Sports Awards Banquet at the Lincoln CountyMulti-Use Facility. Most Valuable Player Awards went to KenyattaColeman and Domenick DiPaolo in cross country, second baseman GinnyDunaway in softball and quarterback Billy Williams and safetyEmmanuel Perkins in football.

Stan Patrick provided the official welcome to the large crowdwhich was estimated at nearly 300. Players, coaches, parents andfans enjoyed a delicious steak dinner.

After the Rev. Mike Brister delivered the invocation, CharleneBanks sang a Salute To America. The crowd was treated to videohighlights of fall sports activities.

Cross Country Awards

Coach Ronald Gill presented the cross country awards.His girls placed third in the district race. Lynn Meadows and LindyLewis received the Will To Win awards. Ronnye Gill won theScholastic Award. Coleman was recognized for her second placefinish in the district race.

“It takes a lot of dedication to be a runner,” saidGill. “We have a young team and the future looksgood.”

Softball Awards

Coach Lisa Covington praised her team for theirdetermined effort to improve during the season. The Lady Panthersgot off to an 0-5 start but wound up 17-14, winning the Division6-4A title and advancing to the second round of the Class 4A stateplayoffs.

Devine Porter and Dunaway, the only seniors on thesquad, were recognized as Team Captains. Porter also won the HustleAward.

The Scholastic Award went to Cortney Fielder. She andChuvaqua Smith and Chiquita Rancifer were presented the Will To Winawards. Ashley Sykes won Rookie of the Year.

Jaronda Moore was named Most Improved. Megan Bateman waschosen Most Valuable Defensive Player and Samantha Boutwell wasMost Valuable Offensive Player.

Earning All-District honors were Porter, Dunaway,Bateman, Boutwell, Mandy Vinson and Shamika Gilmore.

Cheerleader Awards

Sylvia Campbell and Phyllis Wallace recognized thevarsity cheerleaders for their efforts and presented them withgifts. Amy Spring presented the ninth grade cheerleaders withpresents.

Football Awards

Ninth grade coach Jaymie Palmer recognized his 35-membersquad for their accomplishments. They posted a 5-3record.

Palmer challenged the players to, “Put God first. Getbetter mentally and physically. How good do you want tobe?”

Head football coach and athletic director Andrew Hickmanrecognized the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior members ofhis team with individual plaques. He congratulated freshman linemanJessie Bowman who started every varsity game on offense anddefense. “You don’t hear of many freshmen starting on thevarsity.”

Hickman said his team’s motto was “Persevere undertrial.” He quoted scripture from James 1:12. The Panthersfinished 5-5 and advanced to the Class 4A stateplayoffs.

Individual varsity awards went to Marcus Foxworth,Defensive Back; Josh Townsend, Linebacker; Julius Lloyd, DefensiveLine; Cornelius Allen, Offensive Back; Nick Downs, Receiver; andKern Hoff, Offensive Line.

Hoff and Williams were recognized as Permanent TeamCaptains. Hoff, who maintains a 4.0 gpa, received the ScholasticAward from BHS principal Ray Balentine.

The Therrell-Tanner Award, revived after a nine yearabsence, was presented by assistant principal and former BHS coachDon Coleman. It went to seniors Cecil Wilson and Brian Mitchell,recognizing them for their citizenship and leadership both on andoff the field. The award is named in honor of two former coachinggreats, the late R.L. Therrell of Brookhaven and C.O. Tanner ofAlexander.

All-Region 6-4A Team honors went to Williams, Allen,Perkins, Hoff and Josh Anderson on the First Team. Honorablemention went to Bowman, Maxwell, Lloyd, Townsend, Mitchell andFoxworth.

Hickman presented a special plaque to Greg Hoff forhis contributions to the overall athletic program. “You learn toappreciate all the things Greg does for all the teams, not justfootball.”

Assistant softball coach John Ogden closed the 2 and1/2-hour program with a benediction prayer.