Senior leftfielder Sabrina Delaughter was named the MostValuable Player on Brookhaven’s slowpitch softball team Mondaynight during an awards banquet at the Southway Baptist Churchfellowship hall. Delaughter, moved from the infield to theoutfield, batted a team-leading .516 this season as the LadyPanthers finished runners-up in the Division 6-4A race and advancedto the state playoffs.

“We had a good year,” said Ole Brook softball coach LisaCovington. “We had a slow start but we finished strong.”

Covington, in her 15th year at the helm of slowpitch softballfortunes and her 17th overall at BHS, watched her team start 2-7before catching fire and finishing 15-13. They lost to D’Ibervillein the opening round of the state playoffs.

Covington thanked the BHS Booster Club for their generoussupport. She also recognized her team’s six senior starters:shortstop Hannah Lowman, pitcher Brianna Ashmore, second basemanKarlee Martin, third baseman Casey Risher, first baseman BrittanyBateman and Delaughter.

“These seniors contributed a lot to our team’s success,” saidCovington. “We wish them well in the future. We hope they learned alot about life and softball. God has a plan for each of them.”

Team members were presented with long-sleeve, red T-shirts andjogging pants. “Once a Lady Panther, always a Lady Panther,” wasprinted on the back of each shirt.

Covington presented autographed softballs to her assistantcoaches: Chad Walker, Ronnye Hart and Mandy Vinson. “They allhelped make our team better this year.”

Vinson was recognized for her deep roots in the BHS softballprogram. She played for Covington and has returned home to coachand teach in Brookhaven.

Receiving All-Division 6-4A recognition were Delaughter, Lowman,Martin, Risher, Ashmore and Christen Benson. Lowman and Delaughterwere named permanent team captains.

Risher also received the Scholastic Award. The Panther Awardwent to Bateman. The Most Improved Award went to freshmanleft-centerfielder Erica Bridwell.

Benson, an eighth grade catcher, received the Hustle Award. TheOffensive Award went to Martin. Lowman received the DefensiveAward.

Covington said she was blessed with the opportunity to coachsoftball at BHS. She thanked the parents and the administration fortheir whole-hearted support.