The Brookhaven faculty, family and soccer booster club honored their Panther athletes with a winter banquet Thursday night to recognize their girls and boys team for their hard work.

Gerri Miller welcomed the large crowd to the banquet that was held at the Brookhaven Parks & Recreation Department’s headquarters.

Girls head coach Kevin Bower and boys head coach Anjan Karmacharya, stated that they were very proud of the year they had. They thanked the Panther booster clubs and all of the officers for their hard work during the season and making this banquet possible. They also gave thanks to the parents for their hard work and effort during the season.

Both coaches commented on the team’s season. “We have improved a lot this season on and off the field. We have a young, talented group coming back. The future looks bright as we continue to grow and improve.”

Coach Bowers’ girls’ team finished with a 5-8-2 record, while Coach Karmacharya’s boys’ team was 2-9-2 on the season. Both teams qualified to play in the first round of the MHSAA soccer playoffs.

The Lady Panthers will lose nine seniors to graduation: Waverli Culver, Madison Johnson, Hayley Jones, Samantha Junkin, Audrey Montalvo, Andie Netherland, Breanna Smith, Alycen Speaks and Quenetta Wilson.

The Panthers are losing seven seniors to graduation: Quinn Cooper, Anthony Daniels, Darrius Pendleton, Ben Stroud, Scottie Tate, Myles Tipton and Zach Wilson.

After enjoying a good meal catered by Broma’s, the awards were presented to honor their hard work and a job well done.

All varsity and junior varsity athletes received certificates for their participation. Second year athletes received their letterman jackets and third year participants had the honors of receiving letter blankets

Brookhaven Lady Panther’s goalkeeper Katherine Shell was recognized as the girls Most Valuable Player Award. In boys’ soccer, senior goalkeeper Zach Wilson received the Most Valuable Player. Coach Bower and Coach Karmacharya mention that this was the first year that Most Valuable Player award to the same position in both girls and boys soccer.

Audrey Montalvo and Miles Tipton received the Most Valuable Defensive Player award. Andie Netherland and Caleb Owens were each selected as the Most Valuable Offensive Player.

Other awards went to: Scholastic Award: Andie Netherland, Ben Stroud. Most Improved Offensive Player: Breanna Smith, Quinn Cooper. Most Improved Defensive Player: Quenetta Wilson, Scottie Tate. Mr. & Miss Hustle: Michael Lambert and Katie Grace Culpepper. Coaches Award: Fallon Brooks, Darrius Pendleton. Rookie of the Year: Kat Wallace, Jacob Bozeman.

Bree Allen and Will Moak were selected as the most valuable player in girls and boys junior varsity action.

At the end of the ceremony, Booster club treasurer Mrs. Rockie Netherland presented the soccer head coaches Kevin Bower and Anjan Karmacharya and assistant coaches Molly Greer and Aaron Ayers with a token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication.