For obvious reasons, the Brookhaven Lady Panthers prefer to havetheir own home for softball games. The Hansel King Sportsplex hasserved as their home field for several years but the girls reallycan’t call it their own.

A plan is in the works, directed by the Ole Brook SoftballBooster Club, to renovate the field located next to Mamie MartinSchool. Once upon a time, it was used as the home field for BHS butthat was several years ago, before the Sportsplex.

The construction project would feature new dugouts, a newconcession stand. dressing room and press box facility. Hopefully,a batting cage, set on a concrete slab, would be included.

To help fund the effort, the booster club is selling 4×8-footoutfield signs for $250. The advertisement will be used during theslowpitch and fastpitch seasons.

Tammy Vinson, slowpitch president, and Jennifer Stewart,fastpitch president, said all proceeds or 100 percent of theprofits would be invested in the softball team. Donations can bemailed to BHS Girls Softball, 2069 East Lincoln Road, Brookhaven,MS 39601.

BHS coach Lisa Covington and her Lady Panthers are annual titlecontenders and the program has been extremely competitive duringher tenure. Enthusiastic support continues to grow for the LadyPanthers.

Players, coaches anxious to start

For sure, area football players and coaches have been workingovertime in preparation for the 2004 season. Fans only see thefinished product on Friday nights. They don’t realize how much timeand effort is required to field a team.

This columns want to wish all the teams best of luck. We hopeyou all make the state playoffs, when the second season begins inearly November.

We also want to thank all the coaches for cooperating with us.They furnished information on their teams which was compiled in TheDAILY LEADER’s annual Gridiron publication.

The DL sports staff will do its best to provide coverage of allthe area games during the season. Statisticians who help furnishinformation will be greatly appreciated.

Will Watson, sports director for ESPN radio 1270 AM inMonticello, will provide a weekly poll of South Central Mississippifootball teams. That should make for some interesting dialogue.

Hoopla fired up for campaign

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla, B.S., has been busy checking outthe statistics in preparation for a fun-filled season ofprognosticating. He fearlessly predicts the winners and losers ofweekend football games. This week Hoopla kicks off the season witha Thursday night special.

Loyd Star at West Lincoln: Rebuilding Hornetshave too much beef and speed for the Bears to handle. Loyd Star21-7.

Hazlehurst at Brookhaven: Folks have anxiouslybeen awaiting the debut of the highly-ranked Ole Brook Panthers.This is supposed to be a special season and it starts with aconvincing victory. Brookhaven 35-14.

Prentiss Christian at Brookhaven Academy:Cougars have too much speed for the Saints to handle. BrookhavenAcademy 39-12.

McAdams at Bogue Chitto: Bobcats rebound fromtheir jamboree losses. Bogue Chitto 28-12.

Wesson at Enterprise: There are new headcoaches at both schools in what could be the game of the week.Wesson 30-21.

Lawrence County at Franklin County: This shouldbe another barn-burner in Meadville as the Bulldogs pull out atriumph. Franklin County 20-9.

Copiah Academy at East Rankin Academy: New headcoach Dan Boyce directed the Rebels to a stunning upset ofdefending Class 1A state champion Heidelberg last week. This weekthey ambush the Colonels. East Rankin 21-14.

South Pike at North Pike: Stronger, fasterEagles flex their muscles in Summit. South Pike 28-10.

McComb at Hattiesburg: Tiger battles Tiger inthe Hub City as former Laurel coach David Duke makes a successfuldebut. Hattiesburg 20-10.

Bowling Green at Parklane Academy: CharlieNewlon launches another campaign with an impressive victory.Parklane 24-6.

Jefferson County at Crystal Springs: In anotherbattle of the Tigers, the Fayette-based felines find a buffet onthe road. Jefferson County 38-12.

Delta State at North Dakota: Senior defensiveend Kelvin Redd helps lead the Statesmen to a big road victory overa nationally-ranked opponent. Delta State 28-14.