Consider the Ole Brook soccer teams to be in a rebuildingcampaign. The Panthers and Lady Panthers were both hit hard bygraduation.

“We have a lot of young players on both teams,” said Ole Brooksoccer coach Kevin Bower. His teams draw their first test Saturdayin the Petal Tournament.

Ole Brook plays Petal’s girls at 9 a.m. and the boys play at10:15. The Lady Panthers play Forrest County AHS at 11:30 and theboys play the Aggies at 12:45.

Bower lost six of 11 starters to graduation off the varsity boysteam, including leading scorer Guy Orr. Also graduated weremidfielders Giles Langston and Jeffrey Kintner, forward TylerAlexander, goalkeeper Thomas Nguyen and midfielder CameronNewell.

Returning for the Panthers are midfielders Nason Stephens andJonathan Davey, and defenders Noel Alford, Grant Nations andPatrick Ayers.

Sophomore Wesley McSorley is working at keeper.

“We need people who can score,” said Bower. “We lost our topthree scorers.”

This is Bower’s fourth year as boys head coach and fifth withgirls team.

The Panthers finished 16-3-1 last season, winning the divisiontitle. They were eliminated in the first round of the stateplayoffs, losing to Laurel in overtime.

The Lady Panthers are minus nine seniors whograduated. Among those were starters Megan Tussey at goalie,leading scorer Allison Wallace at forward, and midfielders LaurieWall, Taylor Crane, Claire Jarreau and defenders Rebecca Campbell,Carolyn Alexander, Julie Meacham and Quinn Webb.

Returning starters are sweeper Laura Waldrop, defenders MarionPatti and Ashley Holtslander, and forwards Hannah Lowman and CaryAnne Rake.

“We have most of our offense on the girls team,” said Bower. “Wehave to fill in at midfield. We also need a goalie.”

Working at keeper are Terri Hodges, Sabrina Delaughter andMadline Delaughter.

The Lady Panthers finished 11-7-1 last year as runners-up toTerry in the division race. They also lost to Laurel in the openinground of the state playoffs.

Bower said he expects Terry to be the team to beat in thedivision race.