Lisa Covington has served as head slowpitch softball coach atBrookhaven for 11 years. She has seen plenty of success during thattime and 2004 was no exception.

Covington’s Lady Panthers “exceeded expectations” and advancedto the Class 4A South State finals, just two wins shy of making thestate championship series. For their accomplishments, Covington hasbeen named The DAILY LEADER’s All-Area Slowpitch Softball Co-CoachOf The Year.

“I was very pleased with our season,” Covington admitted. “Wegot beat the first two games and then won 22 straight. Winningdistrict was a big accomplishment.”

Covington, 35, is assisted by John Ogden. “Coach Ogden and Iwondered what would happen when we lost those first two games.

“Our girls were dedicated and determined to improve,” Covingtonadded. “This was one of my most enjoyable years to coach.”

She had five seniors on the squad in Kayla Prince, AllysonWallace, Taylor Crane, Lauren Smith and Casi Langston, and four ofthem were in the starting lineup.

“Our seniors knew what we expected of them and they pushed eachother,” said Covington. “They pushed the whole team.

“These girls worked hard and I’m extremely proud of them.”

A West Lincoln graduate, Covington played slowpitch softball andCopiah-Lincoln Community College and fastpitch at Southern Miss.She teaches sophomore English at BHS.

She is married to Gary Covington and they have two daughters,Anna Grace, age 6; and Allison, 2. They attend Pleasant GroveBaptist Church.

Covington said she receives lots of encouragement from herhusband and family. “My husband supports me. Practicing every dayand playing games two nights a week causes me to spend a lot oftime away from home.”

Covington will maintain a busy schedule in the spring, coachingfastpitch softball at BHS. Practice beings in January.

“I really appreciate the support of the parents, the communityand our school administrators,” said Covington. “They help make oursoftball program successful.”

Covington said the future looks bright for BHS softball. A newand improved softball facility at Mamie Martin is currently underconstruction. Ashley Sykes, The DL’s Player of the Year, will bereturning for the Lady Panthers.