Eager and excited to start the basketball season, Billy Holmesand Ronald Hines make their head coaching debuts at BrookhavenTuesday night in Sinclair Gymnasium. Brookhaven hosts Ridgeland forvarsity games, girls at 6 and boys at 7:30.

Holmes, 61, makes his debut as boss of the Lady Panthers. Hecomes to Brookhaven after a lengthy career at the college level. Hewas head coach at Mercer (Ga.) University for seven years and theNo. 1 assistant at UNO for several more. A 1959 McComb graduate, hebegan his coaching career at Loyd Star and then moved to Houston,Texas.

Holmes inherits a talented team from Ronald Gill who retiredafter last season. Four starters return, led by senior post playersAyana Tillman and Shamika Gilmore, senior playmaker Aneidra Stantonand guard Mandy Vinson.

Tillman, a 6-footer, averaged 16.8 points and 10.2 rebounds as ajunior, leading the Lady Panthers to a 24-5 record. She was namedto The Daily Leader’s 2002 All-Lincoln County Basketball Team.

“This team has worked very hard in adjusting to a new coach anda new style of play and technique,” said Holmes. “I’m pleased withthe effort and the attitude.”

Working with Holmes is assistant coach Terri Hall who is incharge of the freshman team.

“What we need is game experience in what I’m trying to teachthem,” said Holmes. Last season the Lady Panthers lost 55-45 toNortheast Lauderdale in the opening round of the South MississippiClass 4A playoffs after finishing runners-up to South Pike in theDivision 6-4A Tournament.

The Panthers, coached by Hines, lost six seniors to graduation,among them three starters in Fred Mackabee, Lazerick Perkins andRayshone Autman. Top returnees are 5-10 point guard Brandon Castonand 6-3 swingman Dexter Middleton and 6-5 center Lamar Hall.

Caston averaged 18.7 points and 2.7 rebounds last season,helping lead the Panthers to a 19-9 record and a 5-2 mark in thedivision race., Middleton averaged 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds pergame.

Hines, 30, comes to Brookhaven from Raymond where he coached for3 years. His last team posted a 17-13 worksheet.

A native of Hazlehurst, Hines graduated from Copiah-LincolnCommunity College and Jackson State University. His assistant coachis Dan Presley who served last season as interim head coach,replacing Preston Wilson who went to Warren Central. Presleyremains on staff as freshman coach.

“Our players are excited and ready to play,” said Hines. “Theyworked hard during the summer and in preseason practice.”

Hines plans to use a man-to-man defense and a motionoffense.

“We lost more kids (six seniors) than any team in the division,”said Hines. “Most of the schools have a lot of players back.”

McComb, led by All-State center Jackie Butler and sharpshootingguard D.J. Carr, is expected to dominate the division.

Brookhaven Menu

Hines will carry his Panthers to the Jackson Public SchoolsTournament in late December while Holmes takes his Lady Panthers toa 48-team tournament in New Orleans. The Ole Brook Shootout isscheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, starting at noon. It includes boysand girls teams Clinton, Madison Central, Jackson Bailey, MadisonSt. Joseph, Callaway and Brookhaven.

2002-03 Schedule

NOVEMBER

5-Ridgeland, 7-at Crystal Springs, 9-Ole Brook Classic,14-Natchez, 15-Bogue Chitto, 16-Franklin County, 19-21 & 23,Brandon Tournament, 22-McComb.

DECEMBER

6-Lawrence County, 7-at Clinton, 13-at South Pike, 20-atRidgeland, 26-28 Jackson Public School Tournament (Boys Only),26-28 New Orleans Tournament (Girls Only).

JANUARY

7-Raymond, 10-at Lawrence County, 16-18 Brookhaven Tournament,21-Port Gibson, 24-at Port Gibson, 28-Terry, 31-at McComb.

FEBRUARY

1-Madison Central, 4-South Pike, 7-at Natchez, 10-15 Division6-4A Tournament at South Pike, 17-18, First round of South State,21-22 South State Finals, 24-28 State Tournament at Jackson.

Varsity Girls Roster

SENIORS: Aneidra Stanton 5-3, Latoya Miller 5-9, Tiffany Edwards5-1, Tiffany Watkins 5-6, Mandy Vinson 5-6, Ayana Tillman 6-0,Shamika Gilmore 5-11.

JUNIORS: Brianna Patton 5-3, Meagan Bateman 5-4, ChiquitaRancifer 5-6, Latoria Kerr 5-8, Anna Autman 5-11, Kristian McCray5-11.

SOPHOMORES: Ashley Leggett 5-4.