Stuart Misner, Sadie Corban, Lane Lofton and Judson Langstonwere an integral part of Brookhaven’s march to the Class 4A StateTennis Tournament championship. Two months later, they are anall-star quartet, members of the Mississippi Association of CoachesSouth All-Star squad.

The MAC’s all-star showcase is Friday afternoon at ParhamBridges Tennis Center in Jackson, starting at 1 p.m. The all-starsreport Thursday to River Hills Country Club for a day ofpractice.

Under the all-star format, there will be six singles matches andthree doubles matches. The players won’t know who their opponentsare until the brackets are drawn up.

Langston and Lofton combined talents to win a second straightboys doubles state championship. They defeated Oxford in the finalsas the Brookhaven squad claimed its second team championship inthree years.

Langston has been enjoying his summer before he migrates toMississippi State University. He plans to pursue a career in civilengineering.

“I’ve been playing a lot of golf this summer and serving aslifeguard,” (at the Brookhaven Country Club pool) said Langston.”I’m looking forward to the all-star tennis.”

Corban has been working for BCC tennis professional David Misnerthis summer. She helps conduct tennis drills for younger players,age 5-11.

“I really enjoy helping Mr. David,” said Corban. She and ElliottWarren combined talents to reach the finals of the Class 4A StateTournament in mixed doubles.

Asked about Brookhaven’s highly successful tennis program,Corban said, “We have an awesome team and we were real close.

“Mr. David helped me a lot with my serve, my forehand and myconfidence,” said Corban. “He really helped my game.”

Corban said she plans to play tennis at Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege. She wants to major in mathematics and become a high schoolmath teacher.

Lofton also has enjoyed his summer. It has been filled withtravel, first a senior trip to Cozumel, Mexico, and then a vacationin Great Britain with Stuart Misner, his future roommate at Samford(Al.) University. He also has been waiting tables at the InezRestaurant.

Looking back on Brookhaven’s march to the state title, Loftonsaid it was a team effort. “The result of the girls doublesreaching the finals had a lot to do with our success.”

Brookhaven’s Lindsey Hall and Betsy Lynch were unseeded in thestate tournament but their determination helped them reach thegirls doubles finals.

“Lindsey said she knew the seniors wanted to win state,” saidLofton. “I could definitely say Brookhaven has a great tennisprogram. We have a special bond.”

Lofton said he plans to study prelaw and major in history atSamford. He and Misner have been members of a local Christianpraise band for a few years.

Ranked among the top juniors in the South, Misner was recentlynamed Mississippi Player of the Year by TheClarion-Ledger. He won back-to-back state singleschampionships.

According to Misner, the trip to London and the opportunity towatch the Wimbledon Tournament has been a highlight of his summer.”It was fantastic.”

Misner and Lofton also spent four days in Ireland. They aremoving into the Samford dormitory Aug. 21.

A tennis scholarship signee with Samford, Misner is following inthe footsteps of his older brother and sister who both played forSamford. He plans to pursue a career in nursing.