Freda Craft made a successful head coaching debut Tuesday night,directing her Brookhaven Lady Panthers to a 92-17 victory over theEnterprise girls in Sinclair Gymnasium. Craft’s first BHS editionwas owed by senior guard Jermecia Jones and junior forward SwayzeBlack with 20 points each.

In the varsity boys game, Brookhaven blasted the EnterpriseYellow Jackets 74-35, led by guard Malcolm Hilliard’s 25-pointoutburst.

Brookhaven resumes play Thursday night, visiting the WestLincoln Bears for a varsity doubleheader. On Saturday, Ole Brookhosts the Brookhaven Classic, featuring 5 games and starting at 3p.m.

Lady Panthers Roar

Expected to be one of the top teams in Mississippi this season,the Lady Panthers overwhelmed Enterprise. They lead 50-4 athalftime.

“We were all ready to play a game,” said Craft. “We ran the ballpretty good. We needed a first game to build our shootingconfidence.”

Black, a 6-1 junior, almost obtained a triple double last night,grabbing 10 rebounds, making 9 steals, 5 assists and blocking 3shots.

She had plenty of offensive support as guard Monte’ Wilsonsacked 17 points and forward Kayla Harris netted 15. Junior postNikki Byrd accounted for 9 points, 6 steals, 5 rebounds and 4assists.

There were 56 turnovers in the game. Enterprise had 43 turnoversand Brookhaven 15, committing just 3 the second half.

Enterprise coach Jill Nations said she was impressed by the LadyPanthers. “We were really outclassed by Brookhaven. They are verygood and have a shot at winning state 4A.

“My girls played hard the whole game and they didn’t quit,”Nations pointed out. Her Class 1A team was outrebounded 28-14.

Lacey Orr grabbed 4 rebounds for Enterprise. Sarah and AmandaBurke each scored 4 points.

Panthers Show Depth

Due to the state football playoffs, the Panthers were minustheir leading scorer and rebounder in forward Charles (Bobo)Rancifer who stars at quarterback. They also were minus post SimmieYarborough, a leading rebounder who plays wide receiver for thePanthers. Also out was Chad Hall who was sidelined by a hipinjury.

Hilliard, a 5-foot-6 junior, added to his game-high point totalwith 7 rebounds 3 steals and 3 assists. Sophomore forward CalvinSmith scored 10 points and snatched 5 rebounds. Guard TerrancePerkins added 7 steals and 6 assists.

“We have a chance to be decent this season,” said BHS boys coachRonald Hines. “Chad Hall is one of our best all-around 10thgraders.”

Hines watched his Panthers race to a 39-15 halftime lead. TheJackets struggled with 18 first-half turnovers and made 28 miscuesfor the game.

“We had too many turnovers and missed too many free throws,”said Enterprise coach Josh Bass. “Brookhaven is very athletic andthey run the floor well. We need to execute better.”

Enterprise plays at Wesson Friday, starting with junior highgirls action at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity action at 6.

The Jackets were out rebounded 31-19. Andrew Williams had 6rebounds for Enterprise. Ky Burke had 5 rebounds and 8 points. MattPrice also netted 8 points.

The Panthers, who had 20 turnovers, got 6 rebounds from DesmondArnold.