Senior third baseman Sabrina Delaughter was named Most ValuablePlayer on the 2009 Brookhaven fastpitch softball team during Mondaynight’s awards banquet held at the Southway Baptist Churchfellowship hall. Delaughter batted .360 this past season andanchored Ole Brook’s infield.

Ole Brook head coach Chad Walker presented the awards lastnight. Assistant coaches Ronnie Hart and Mandy Vinson assisted inthe ceremony. Walker’s wife, Laura Anne, provided theinvocation.

“I want to thank our school administration and our athleticdirector (Tucker Peavey),” said Coach Walker. “Our facilities andequipment are second to none.”

Reviewing the 2009 campaign in which the Lady Panthers finished10-17 and runners-up in the Division 6-4A race, Walker said, “Whata season. What could have gone wrong, went wrong.”

Walker said injuries to key players hurt his team and majoradjustments had to be made in the lineup. Casey Risher, a seniorcatcher, was injured twice. She missed part of the season due to anappendectomy.

“At times, things didn’t go right on defense because we had toomany changes,” said Walker. “Give our girls credit. No one gaveup.

“Even I got injured,” said Walker, joking about his torn calfmuscle. “I was jumping up and down and tore my calf muscle,” duringthe Franklin County tournament.

Putting things in perspective, Walker said, “Softball is a game.You parents have done a good job raising your kids. We haveexcellent students on this team, too. They have on of the highestGPAs.”

Risher, a Copiah-Lincoln Community College signee, compiled a4.1 GPA in the classroom.

Walker challenged his team to work hard during the offseason.”We have some of the best softball around this area. Loyd Star andNorth Pike are outstanding teams.

Loyd Star captured the Class 2A state championship and NorthPike was runner-up in Class 3A.

“I want you girls to work hard in the summer league and keeplifting weights,” Walker stressed. “We will face some strongcompetition next year.”

Walker recognized his four senior members of the team:Delaughter, Hannah Lowman, Casey Risher and Kelsey Freeman. Theyreceived red blankets with a large letter B attached.

Lowman, a shortstop, was recognized as the team’s Best OffensivePlayer after batting a team-high .481. Junior centerfielder StevieWright was named Best Defensive Player.

Risher received the Scholar/Athlete Award. She also wasrecognized as permanent Team Captain, along with Lowman. They werenamed to the all-district team, plus Wright and Delaughter.

Erica Lenoir received the Panther Award for her efforts on thefield. Madeline Delaughter and Brooke Hosick were chosen MostImproved.

Eighth grade catcher Christen Benson received the Panther Award.She replaced Risher behind the plate when she was injured.