Students at area schools were released Friday to enjoy a week offun and frolic before returning March 19 for the final stretch tothe end of the year.

Classes in the Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Copiah County andLawrence County school districts, as well as Brookhaven Academy,will not be in session this week.

The entire Brookhaven School District was released early Fridayto support the high school’s girls basketball team, which competedfor the state championship Friday afternoon.

“We’re getting out of here early today to we can go watch thebasketball game,” said Superintendent Lea Barrett. “Many of thehigh school students have siblings in the other grades. It’sstrictly because the girls are in the state championship and wewant to be able to support them.”

Indianola Gentry, though, spoiled the occasion by defeating theBHS Lady Panthers 54-48 in a hard-fought contest.

Letha Drane, assistant superintendent of the Lincoln CountySchool District, said adults should be wary while traveling theroads this week.

“They need to be aware there will be more kids on the road andoutside playing,” she said.

Barrett agreed. She added that the change to daylight-savingstime this weekend means adults should be especially careful.

“It means the buses will be running in the dark in the morningfor a few days,” she said. “That makes it more dangerous tochildren as they load the buses for school.”