WESSON — On a Cougariffic Monday night, the Brookhaven Academyathletic teams were recognized and honored at a banquet held in theThames Center, located on the Copiah-Lincoln Community Collegecampus. A crowd of 200-plus was on hand for the event.

The coveted Cougar Leadership Award went to three seniors andwas presented by Brookhaven Academy Headmaster Dr. Miller Hammill.The trio included Sydney Moak, Price Sessums and T-Boy Lynch.

“These three seniors are special,” said Hammill. “They areexceptional athletes in several sports. They also are excellentstudents and leaders in the classroom.”

Sessums was recognized as Most Valuable Player in football andtrack. He won the 100 and 200-meter dashes in last Saturday’s MPSAClass AA State Track Meet, posting times of 11.0 in the 100 and22.7 in the 200. In football, Sessums accounted for over 4,000yards total offense and was named Mr. Football on The DAILYLEADER’s All-Lincoln County Football Team after leading the Cougarsto the District 6-AA championship and an 11-2 record.

Lynch, MVP of the boys state tournament championship basketballteam, also excelled in baseball. He was named Mr. Basketball on theDL’s All-Lincoln County Basketball Team.

Moak, an all-around athlete, played basketball, soccer and tennis.She is a member of the district and South State championshipstennis squad, playing No. 2 girls singles.

Following the invocation last night, Hammill praised the parentsand fans who supported the school’s athletic program. “I’ve beenhere almost three years and I have discovered the true meaning ofthe term, Brookhaven Nation.

“Your support of our sports teams is outstanding,” Hammill noted.”You really turn out for their games, be it football, basketball,baseball or the other sports. I commend you for your support.”

Other MVP awards went to Kacey Rutland in slowpitch and fastpitchsoftball, Zach Watson in baseball, Rosemary Moak and Dudley Lamptonin tennis, Drew Holland Tigner in girls basketball, Jacob Ross ingolf, Terah Winborne in girls track, Sally Beth Allred in girlssoccer, Jeremy James and Nathaniel Sbravati in boys soccer, andKolby Byrd, on defense in football.