Brookhaven rebounded from an injury-plagued, mediocre season in2002 to win the Division 6-4A championship. Coach Randy Spring’sPanthers used the character-building campaign as a springboard tounseating the Terry Bulldogs as division champions, increasingtheir victory total by nine games.

For his efforts, Spring has been named Co-Coach of the Year onthe 2003 All-Lincoln County Baseball Team. He shares the honor withLoyd Star’s Sidney Wheatley.

Spring, 33, in his fourth year at the helm, fashioned a 22-10record. The Panthers had a team batting average of .337 andadvanced to the state playoffs, losing to Van Cleave.

“Last year we were forced into playing a lot of younger playersbecause of injuries,” said Spring. “Those kids matured and reallybenefited.”

After losing to Terry on the road, Brookhaven rebounded to sweepthe Bulldogs on Moyer Field the same week. That milestone ignitedthe Panthers.

Five senior starters paced Brookhaven’s successful run to thestate playoffs. The quintet included second baseman Justin Sykes,pitcher/third baseman Reggie Smith, and first baseman Josh Townsendand outfielders Corey Smith and Josh Anderson.

“Our seniors played well this year and we will miss them,” saidSpring. On the bright side, he has five starters returning inshortstop/pitcher Brooks Hall, infielder/pitcher Scotty Smith,outfielder/pitcher Darius Perkins and catchers Adam Ogden and GrantMcDonnieal.

A 1988 graduate of McComb Parklane Academy, Spring playedbaseball for the Pioneers and spent one year at SouthwestMississippi Community College before transferring to the Universityof Southern Mississippi. He obtained a degree in sportsadministration with an emphasis on teaching at USM. He began hiscoaching career as an assistant at Freed-Hardeman University inHenderson, Tenn.

Spring went to North Forrest next as an assistant coach and thento Forrest County AHS where he was head coach for 2 years. Hereplaced Robbie Hayes as head coach at BHS and the Panthers tiedfor the division title his first year at the helm.

“My assistant coaches deserve a lot of credit for our success,”said Spring. That group included Jeremy Albritton, Jaymie Palmerand Dwayne Oberschmidt, a longtime volunteer coach.

“Our Diamond Club does a great job raising money and working inthe concession stand,” said Spring. “They spend a lot of timeworking with us and raising money.” He ticked off the names ofpresident and treasurer, Stan and Susan Patrick; and vicepresidents John Ogden and Brad Hall.

As a husband, parent, teacher and coach, Spring has a busylifestyle. He is married to the former Amy Everett and they havetwo sons, Brett, age 7; and Brady, 20 months.