Senior shortstop Terri Hodges was recognized as the MostValuable Player on Brookhaven’s slowpitch softball team Thursdaynight at the annual awards banquet. Hodges also was named permanentteam captain, along with senior teammate Katie Stewart.

Ole Brook softball coach Lisa Covington praised the LadyPanthers (21-11) for their performance this season. They wererunners-up in the Division 6-4A race and advanced to the stateplayoffs where they pushed top-ranked Quitman to a third game inthe best-of-three series.

Receiving Division 6-4A All-District Team honors and medallionswere Hodges, Sabrina Delaughter, Hannah Lowman, Casey Risher,Kelsey Freeman and Stevie Wright.

Senior Georgia Rae Rainer was the recipient of the ScholasticAward and the Most Improved trophy. Lowman received the HustleAward.

The Most Valuable Offensive Player Award went to Risher whoposted a .475 batting average. She also sparkled on the mound as apitcher.

Stewart received the Most Valuable Defensive Player Award,showcasing her fielding skills in the outfield.

Covington, in her 16th season at BHS, thanked her assistantcoaches, Chad Walker and Ronnye Hart, for their hard work andsupport during the long campaign which began with preseasonpractice in July.

The Softball Booster Club presented the varsity and juniorvarsity players with jackets. Covington thanked the boosters fortheir fund-raising efforts before and during the season.

“I feel blessed to be a coach,” said Covington. “I had othergoals in college but God had a plan for me and that was tocoach.”

Covington, the mother of three young daughters, said softballwas similar to the game of life. “Some days you get up and it lookslike a great day. You might hit a home run. Other times you mightstrike out but you don’t give up.”

She quoted a portion of the 27th Psalm “There will be scarytimes in your life but God will get you through it if you trust inHim.”

Covington said athletes have an important role to play becauseyoung children look up to them. “They are watching you every minuteand they will imitate exactly what you do.”

She said sportsmanship and attitude were important, both on andoff the field. “You know I always tell you that you arerepresenting Brookhaven, your school, your family and yourcommunity when you wear that uniform.”