Team captain Doris Panzica and her tennis teammates were goingto enjoy a late lunch Wednesday afternoon. They had just finishedrunners-up in the USA League Tennis 6.0 Super Senior NationalChampionships in Palm Springs, Calif.

Based in Brookhaven, Panzica’s team began competition on Tuesdayafter a Monday rainout. Representing the Southern Section, theywere 3-1 in their flight, losing to Southern Cal.

There was a pool of three flights, so Brookhaven’s one loss keptthe team in the competition. “We got back in and beat Southern Calin the semifinals,” said Panzica.

The Brookhaven team lost a hard-fought finals match to Southwest(Tucson, Ariz.) in a tie-breaker.

“We are real proud of what we accomplished,” said Panzica. “It’salmost as good as winning.”

On Brookhaven’s team are Carolyn Rounsaville, Betsy P. Smith andJudy A. Phillips of Brookhaven; Ann Johnson of Monticello, Peggy A.Polk and Lue Jean Harvey of Silver Creek, Bobbi A. Power of Libertyand Betty Simmons of Vidalia, La.

Besides enjoying the sights and sounds of Palm Springs, theladies also experienced two minor earthquakes on the 4.0 scale.

This is the 25th anniversary year for USTA League Tennis. Therewon’t be much time for the Brookhaven team to recuperate. The USTAstate tournament is next weekend in Oxford.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S., is anticipating another bigweekend of football prognosticating. He predicted the winners of 28games last week and got 22 correct.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners, starting with twoThursday night specials.

Jones County at Co-Lin: Two strugglingcommunity college teams are looking for their second win of theseason. In a thriller, Co-Lin 21-20.

West Lincoln at Dexter: Bears are starving fora win but they won’t find it in Walthall County. Dexter 24-14.

Brookhaven at Port Gibson: This could become anoffensive show as the Panthers pull out a Region 6-4A victory. OleBrook 39-20.

Brookhaven Academy at Trinity: Cougars scratchout a win in Natchez. Brookhaven Academy 27-21.

Salem at Bogue Chitto: It’s pass versus run onhomecoming night at Troy Smith Field. A shaky nod to the Bobcats.Bogue Chitto 32-26.

Enterprise at Mercy Cross: Fighting YellowJackets seek a fourth straight win in D’Iberville. Enterprise29-27.

Madison St. Joe at Loyd Star: The Bruins arereceiving a lot of help from Hurricane Katrina evacuees. St. Joe42-29.

St. Andrew’s at Wesson: Cobras must play solidon both sides of the football and get lucky, too. Wesson 28-27.

Terry at Lawrence County: Tailback AnthonyDixon spoils the Cougars’ homecoming celebration. Terry 35-21.

Copiah Academy at Prairie View: Colonels securefirst place in the District 3-AA race. Copiah 37-12.

Franklin County at Columbia: Streaking Bulldogswin a third straight game. Franklin Co. 33-11.

In other area games, North Pike over WilkinsonCounty 22-12, Mendenhall over McComb 30-20, South Pike overTylertown 38-6, Parklane over Presbyterian Christian 21-7 and YazooCounty over Crystal Springs 27-14.

Itawamba at Southwest: In a Saturday homecomingspecial, the Bears ambush the Indians. Southwest 21-10.

Southern Miss at UAB: Thanks to television,this game is taking place Friday night in Birmingham. Southern Miss29-19.

Kentucky at Ole Miss: Rebels realize theirfirst SEC win of the season. Ole Miss 28-14.

Houston at Mississippi State: Rested Bulldogsare ready to mug the Cougars in Starkville. State 23-13.

Grambling at Jackson State: G-men air it out inMississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Grambling 42-19.

In other Magnolia State action, Southern U.ambushes Alcorn State 28-19, Mississippi College wins homecomingover Texas Lutheran 31-13, Delta State over Harding 27-16, ValleyState over Texas Southern 29-20, DePauw over Millsaps 35-19, andBelhaven over Lambuth 21-17.

In the SEC, Alabama over Tennessee 23-20,Georgia over Arkansas 34-17, Auburn over LSU 22-14, and SouthCarolina over Vanderbilt 33-21. Florida has an open date to battendown the hatches as another hurricane approaches.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com