Brookhaven junior pitcher Katherine Shell took home the Most Valuable Player Award and Scholar Athlete Award Tuesday night during the team’s Fastpitch Softball Awards Banquet.

Ole Brook softball coach Mandy Vinson welcomed the crowd to the banquet, which was held at the Brookhaven Parks & Recreation Department headquarters located on Highway 51 North.

“I would like to thank the parents, the booster club, the administration, athletic director Tommy Clopton and everyone else that help make this season a success” said Vinson.

“Overall, We had a great year,” said Vinson. “The girls worked and fought hard all season to get better as a team and we had an exciting season.”

Vinson’s team was runner-up in the Region 6-5A race and advanced to the state playoffs. The Lady Panthers lost to Picayune in the first round of the best of three series. Brookhaven finished the year with 18-8 record overall and had an 2-2 record in Region 6-5A action.

The whole team was honored with a special gift from the coaches as members received a new travel bag with their jersey number embroidered on the bag.

Seniors Katie Grace Culpepper and Julianna Porter received a special thank you gift bag and were named permanent Team Captains.

Haley Speaks, Culpepper and Shell earned All-Region 6-5A honors. Fallon Brooks, Tia Bussey, Jada Henderson and Kat Wallace were selected on the All-Region Honorable Mention.

Bussey was recognized with the team’s Hustle Award. Third baseman Brooks was named as the teams’ Most Improved Player. Kat Wallace received the Panther Award, Speaks was selected as the Most Valuable Defensive Player. Culpepper captured the Most Valuable Offensive Player Award.

Prior to the ending of the banquet, the coaches recognized the players who earned their letterman with certificates.

Booster Club president David Culpepper came to the podium and thanked the coaches, the parents and coaches’ husbands for their work hard and dedication.

Booster Club officers Matt Shell, vice president, and Lucy Shell, treasurer, provided a special thank you gift for the coaches.

Culpepper closed the ceremony encouraging everyone to continue their hard work and support for the Lady Panthers softball team. His motto was to “Leave it better than you found it.”