The Brookhaven Panthers and Lady Panthers are excited to kick off the 2014-15-basketball season as they will have plenty of youth and experience to have a successful year.

Ole Brook opened their season last Thursday in a classic game against Vicksburg. The Lady Panthers fell to the Lady Gators 41-39 and the Panthers lost 53-42. They also played Saturday in the Jefferson County Classic.

The Panthers and Lady Panthers will be on the road for most part of the season due to renovations to Sin Claire Gymnasium, but hopefully have their first home opener on Tuesday, Nov 18. They will host South Pike for three games. Junior varsity action starts at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity action.

Lady Panthers bring youth 

Coach Freda Craft will have four senior starters back for the season to help lead the Lady Panthers. Veterans are Chantel Quarles, Shoniece Smith, Yasmine Hill, Kynitria Hill and Danielle Batteast.

The Lady Panthers hope to improve on last year 12-11 record.

The Lady Panthers are loaded with sophomore and freshmen players.

Craft, 59, is a Hazlehurst product, who has been coaching for 24 years. She is in her ninth season at BHS. Her assistant coach is Zandra Hamilton.

Lost to graduation were starters Fredericka Fairman and Diamond Herring.

Panthers focus on defense 

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

Wilson, 47, is a Monroe, La. native. He is in his sixth season at the helm. His assistant coach is Jimmie Butler.

The Panthers will have four returning starters: Damarius Brooks, Tavis Moore, Darrian Wilson and Lazorian McNulty. Ole Brook tragically lost their fifth returning starter: Shaquan Richardson, due to an accident that occurred in October.

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

The Panthers lost several seniors to graduation last year, which were Lonnie Lenoir, Martavius Brooks, Fred Trevillion, Khalil Newton, Javontae Trevillion, Carl King and Tyler Thomas.

BHS Varsity Girls Roster

SENIORS: Chantel Quarles, Shoniece Smith, Yasmine Hill, Kynitria Hill, Danielle Batteast

SOPHOMORES: Asia Byrd, Mya Newton, Courtney Brown, Cheyenne Motley, Jada Henderson, Arnancy Arnold,

FRESHMEN: Alarria Townsend, Taylor Carter, Johnique James, Maddie Thompson

Brookhaven Varsity Boys 

SENIORS: Keante’ Benjamin, Tavis Moore, Garrick Smith, Randy Wilson

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

SOPHOMORES: Alex Benson, Tyriq Reese, Damarius Brooks, Danarius Gray

Brookhaven 2014-2015 Schedule 

NOVEMBER: 7-at Vicksburg classic, 9-at Jefferson Co. classic, 13-at Terry, 18- South Pike, 20-21-Brookhaven Tournament.

DECEMBER: 2-at Franklin Co., 5-at North Pike, 10-Terry, 12-Lawrence Co., 16-at Tylertown, 19-at West Lincoln, 26-27-at McComb Holiday Tournament.

JANUARY: 2-at Lawrence Co., 6-at South Pike, 9-Natchez, 13-Jefferson Co., 16-Pearl River, 20-Warren Central, 23-at Wingfield, 27-at Clinton, 30-at Natchez.

FEBRUARY: 3-at Ridgeland, 6-at Pearl River, 10-Winfield, 17&20-Region 6-5A Tournament, 23 – South State 1st Round Girls. 24 – South State 1st Round Boys. 27-28 – South State Tournament.

March: 4-14-State Championship-Ms Coliseum.