After watching the state soccer playoffs from the bleachers lastyear, Brookhaven’s soccer teams made a commitment. The Panthers andLady Panthers were determined to make the Class 4A state playoffsthis season.

Their success story continues today. Brookhaven’s boys, freshfrom winning the Division 6-4A championship, host Laurel on KingField, starting at 5:30 p.m., in the opening round of the stateplayoffs. The Lady Panthers, Division 6-4A runners-up, travel toLaurel for a 6 p.m. match tonight.

“Our kids have really worked hard since they didn’t make it lastyear,” said Ole Brook soccer coach Kevin Bower. “They have put in alot of extra effort.

“We have a lot of returning players plus some new players whohave really helped us,” said Bower.

Bower said the following players would be his starting lineuptonight. Thomas Nguyen will serve as goalkeeper. On defense areNason Stephens, R.J. Jenkins, Grant Nations, and Patrick Ayers.

Ole Brook midfielders include Cameron Newell, Jeffrey Kinter,Giles Langston and Jonathan Davey. At forward are Tyler Alexanderand Guy Orr.

Orr leads the Panthers in scoring with 21 goals, plus 10assists. Alexander has 18 goals, Langston 15 and Stephens 10.Langston leads in assists with 15.

“We don’t know much about Laurel’s boys,” said Bower. “TheLaurel girls have two real good forwards.”

“Our boys have a good chance if we keep improving,” said Bower.”Every game we play will get harder.”

Bower said Gulf Coast powers Gautier and St. Stanislaus usuallymake to the final round on every year. The second round of thestate playoffs is Saturday.

Other first-round, South Mississippi boys games feature Terry atPetal, East Central at Gautier, St. Stanislaus at George County. Inthe North, Callaway is at Wayne County, Hernando is at Amory,Northeast Lauderdale is at Pearl and New Hope is at Oxford.

Brookhaven’s girls (11-6-1, 5-3) wererunners-up to Terry in the division race. Leading the Lady Panthersin scoring are forwards Allyson Wallace and Hannah Lowman with 12and 9 goals respectively. Cary Anne Rake has 5 goals.

On defense, Ole Brook keeper Megan Tussey has registered 10shutouts.

Bower said BHS assistant coaches Amy Copeland and Brad Blandwill coach the girls team tonight.

Other South 4A girls matchups include West Jones at Terry, EastCentral at Gautier, and D’Iberville at Pearl River Central. In theNorth, Neshoba Central is at Pontotoc, Northeast Jones is atRidgeland, Oxford is at Amory and Florence is at NortheastLauderdale.