The Brookhaven faculty, family and the Ole Brook Diamond Club honored their Panther athletes with a spring baseball banquet Monday night recognizing their boys and their Diamond Girls for all of their hard work.

Brookhaven head baseball coach Randy Spring welcomed the large crowd to the banquet that was held at the Johnson Grove Church of Christ fellowship hall, located on Auburn Drive.

After enjoying the meal catered by Mitchell’s, Spring, in his 15th season at the helm of Ole Brook baseball fortunes, return to the podium to thank the Diamond Club members for their numerous hours of volunteer work. He also thanked the BHS administration and athletic director Tommy Clopton for their support.

He also expressed appreciation to the numerous sponsors for their support during the season, which he said meant a lot to him and his team.

Speaking about the team, Spring said, “We have improved a lot …. The future looks bright for the baseball team. We have a young, talented group coming back.”

Spring’s team finished the season with a 16-14 record overall and were second in Region 6-5A race with a 6-3 record.

The Panthers will lose three seniors to graduation: Reed Jones, Brett Spring and Myles Tipton.

The evening also offered a farewell moment for assistant baseball coach Joel McCarty, who is moving to Terry. He served one year under Spring.

Prior to the announcement of the awards, Spring recognized Paul Henning as the special guest speaker.

Henning, the youth minister at First Baptist Church, enjoys working the youth in athletics and is very passionate about their spiritual concerns.

Henning spoke about generating memories to remember for the rest of your life. “Seniors and under classmen, you will look back and remember everything you did and did not do throughout your high school career. Remember this is your good old days.

“Some of you are excited to move on to college and for some of you this might be it for your baseball career,” continued Henning. “But one day in the future you will look back and remember the advice these coaches have gave or taught you.”

In closing Henning stated, “While you guys and girls start preparing for your life’s adventure, just remember to do it to your best ability that God has giving you and do it to the honor and glory of God.”

Reed Jones was the winner of the Most Valuable Player award during the awards presentation. Jones also earned the Best Offensive Player and Best Pitcher honors.

Brett Spring won the Academic Award, Dwayne Oberschmidt Panther Award and Permanent Captain Honors.

Blaine Moak was recognized as the Best Defensive Player. Reese Reynaud received the Most Improve Player honors. Darian Wilson took home the Mr. Hustle Award.

The Dwayne Oberschmidt Panther Award also went to Scotty Bateman. Myles Tipton was also chosen as the Team Permanent Captain.

Nick Kesler, Bateman, Jones and Tipton were selected on the 6-5A All-Region Team. Penn Wilson, Brett Spring and Moak receive honorable mention.

At the closing of the ceremony, there was a brief slide show to honor the seniors before the closing prayer.