Athletes in cross-couintry, girls slowpitch softball andfootball were honored Monday night at the Brookhaven Fall SportsBanquet held at the Multi-Purpose Building. Linebacker Belma Cagerand pitcher Mandy Vinson were named overall Most Valuable Playersin football and softball respectively.

Brookhaven athletic director and head football coach TuckerPeavey praised the athletes for their dedication and hard work.”You made the community and Brookhaven High School proud. Remember,don’t expect to be the best unless you do your best.”

Stan Patrick served as master of ceremony and provided theopening welcome. First Baptist Church youth minister Mike Bristerdelivered the invocation.

While the athletes, coaches, cheerleaders, parents andsupporters enjoyed a delicious meal of fried catfish, they wereentertained by a highlight video, featuring the football andsoftball seasons.

Ronald Hines, first-year cross-country coach, presented threeawards last night. They went to Caroline Alexander, Most ValuableGirl; Jeffrey Dow, Most Valuable Boy; and Billy Hay, ScholasticAward.

Amy Spring and Phyllis Wallace presented awards to the varsitycheerleaders and recognized them for their accomplishments.

Coach Jaymie Palmer recognized the BHS freshman football playersand praised them for their efforts.

Softball Awards

Coach Lisa Covington presented the softball awards and commendedthe Lady Panthers for a winning a second consecutive districtchampionship. They posted a 26-8 record and finished in the FinalFour, losing to Northeast Lauderdale in the South State finals.

Covington took a pregnancy leave of absence early in the season,leaving assistant coaches John Ogden and Dan Presley in charge ofthe team. “I want to thank Coach Ogden and Coach Presley for takingover the team while I was gone. They did a good job.”

Covington’s four seniors, Mandy Vinson, Kensy Hoff, SamanthaBoutwell and Cortney Fielder, were presented softballs which wereautographed by the team. Each team member received jackets.

“I want to thank the booster club and the parents for all theirhelp,” said Covington. “Thank you for letting me coach yourchildren.”

Covington quoted scripture from Proverbs 3:5-6,regarding the game of life.

Vinson and Ashley Sykes were recognized for making the All-StateTournament Team. They were joined by Megan Bateman, CortneyFielder, Chuvaqua Smith and Jaronda Moore on the All-Districtsquad.

Team Captain awards went to Vinson and Boutwell. Fielderreceived the Scholastic and Hustle Awards.

Hoff was recognized as Most Improved. Smith was named MostValuable Offensive Player and Bateman was picked Most ValuableDefensive Player. The Coach’s Award went to Boutwell.

Serving as senior spokesman, Hoff gave an emotional tribute toCovington, thanking her for the many hours of hard work anddedication to the team. Hoff and her three senior classmates havebeen team members since the eighth grade.

Football Awards

Coach Peavey thanked the Gridiron Booster Club and the parentsfor their support during the season. The Panthers advanced to thethird round of the Class 4A playoffs before losing to D’Iberville,the eventual state champion.

“I don’t believe in stats,” said Peavey. “That’s something youcan read in the newspaper. It doesn’t show the hard work eachplayer did during the season. I have never been more proud of afootball team.”

Peavey presented Best Offensive Lineman awards to GrantMcDonnieal and Kenneth Fairman. Coach Ryan Ross presented the BestOffensive Back Award to quarterback Jimmy Johns.

Coach Palmer presented the Bet Defensive Lineman awards toPhilip Tobias and Jesse Bowman. Coach Patrick Hardy presented theBest Defensive Back Award to LaKendrick Maxwell. Coach Eric Stokespresented the Scholastic Award to Domenick DiPaolo who has achieveda 3.96 GPA.

The Therrell-Tanner Award, named in honor of the late Coach R.L.Therrell of BHS and the late Coach C.O. Tanner of Alexander,recognizes football players who provide leadership both on and offthe field. Peavey presented the awards to Julius Lloyd and AdamOgden.

Emmanuel Perkins and Josh Crawford were recognized as PermanentTeam Captains. On behalf of the team, Crawford and Perkinspresented plaques to the coaching staff.

Defensive coordinator Rod Henderson presented the MVP award toCager, an inside linebacker.

Each varsity team member received a special plaque and jacketpatch for the 2002 season.

Patrick recognized Gridiron Club members Mike and JackieCrawford for their efforts during the season. They were responsiblefor painting the large BHS logo at midfield and in the endzone.

Coach Ogden concluded the program with the benediction.