The Brookhaven Panthers and Lady Panthers will be relying on their youth and experience to have a successful 2013-14-basketball season.

Ole Brook opens the season Thursday with classic games against Vicksburg. They also play Saturday in the Jefferson County Classic.

The Panthers and Lady Panthers first home opener is Thursday, Nov 14. They will host Terry for three games. Junior varsity action starts at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity action.

Lady Panthers

Coach Freda Craft will have two senior starters back for the season to help lead the Lady Panthers. Veterans are Fredericka Fairman and Diamond Herring.

Looking to the new season, the Lady Panthers hope to improve on last year’s 21-8 record.

To achieve that goal, the Lady Panthers look to their five juniors – Jessica Wilson, Kynitra Hill, Yasmine Hill, Chantel Quarles and Shoniece Smith – to provide experience.

Lost to graduation were starters Christen Benson, Archea Brotherns, Carey Crozier and Raven Smith.

Coach Craft, 58, is a Hazlehurst product who has been coaching for 23 years. She is in her eighth season at BHS. Her assistant coach is Zandra Hamilton.

Panthers 

Coach Preston Wilson hopes his strong transition game and defense will help his players grow stronger as a team before starting division action.

Wilson, 46, is a Monroe, La., native who is in his fifth season at the helm. His assistant coach is Jimmie Butler.

The Panthers will have four returning starters: Khalil Newton, Fred Trevillion, Tavis Moore and Lazorian McNulty.

Lost to graduation was starting center Ryan Thibodeaux.

“We are playing a very tough schedule again,” said Wilson. “This teams has the potential to have a very successful year.”

Coach Wilson said the transition game and defense will be the Panthers’ strong points.

BHS Varsity Girls Roster

SENIORS: Fredericka Fairman, Diamond Herring.

JUNIORS: Jessica Wilson, Kynitra Hill, Yasmine Hill, Chantel Quarles, Shoniece Smith.

SOPHOMORES: Mya Washington.

FRESHMEN: Arnancy Arnold, Courtney Brown, Jada Henderson, Michelle Herrington, Cheyenne Motley, Kennedy Spiller.

Brookhaven Varsity Boys 

SENIORS: Lonnie Lenoir, Martavius Brooks, Fred Trevillion, Khalil Newton, Javontae Trevillion, Carl King, Tyler Thomas.

JUNIORS: Tavis Moore, Shaquan Richardson, Randy Wilson, Keante’ Benjamin, Clinton Esch.

SOPHOMORES: Darrian Wilson, Shon Blackwell, Lazorian McNulty, Marte Jones, Darius Bryant.

FRESHMAN: Damarius Brooks.

 Brookhaven Schedule 

NOVEMBER: 7-at Vicksburg classic, 9-at Jefferson Co. classic, 14-Terry, 15-at Lawrence Co., 19-at South Pike, 21-22-Brookhaven Tournament.

DECEMBER: 3-Franklin Co., 6-North Pike, 10-at Terry, 13-Lawrence Co., 17-Tylertown, 20-at West Lincoln, 26-28-at McComb Holiday Tournament.

JANUARY 2014: 7-South Pike, 10-at Natchez, 14-Jefferson Co., 17-at Pearl River, 21-at Warren Central, 24-Wingfield, 28-at Clinton, 31-Natchez.

FEBRUARY 2014: 4-at Ridgeland, 7-Pearl River, 11-at Winfield, 18&21-Region 6-5A Tournament, 24 – South State 1st Round Girls. 25 – South State 1st Round Boys. 27-28 – South State Tournament.

March 2014: 1- South State Tournament, 7-15-State Championship-Ms Coliseum.