Brookhaven basketball coaches Billy Holmes and Ronald Hinesexpect their respective teams to improve as the season progresses.Both coaches have several talented players to work with but howwell they adapt to the team concept remains to be seen.

The Panthers and Lady Panthers receive their first test of the2004-05 campaign in Saturday’s Ole Brook Shootout Classic inSinclair Gymnasium. Action begins at 10 a.m. tomorrow butBrookhaven won’t play until Saturday night, meeting the Clintongirls at 7 and the Forest Hill boys at 8:30.

Madison Central starts the 8-game tourney, meeting the CrystalSprings girls at 10 am. and the South Pike boys at 11:30.Heidelberg plays the McComb boys at 1 p.m., followed by Callawayvs. the Hazlehurst girls at 2:30, Vicksburg vs. the Crystal Springsboys at 4, and Clinton vs. the Provine boys at 5:30.

The Lady Panthers advanced to the quarterfinalsof the South Mississippi Class 4A quarterfinals last season, losingto Wayne County. They finished 22-13.

Holmes lost post players Anna Autman and Kristin McCray whosigned scholarships with Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Holmesbelieves his Lady Panthers are headed for an outstanding campaign.He is blessed with a number of 6-footers.

“We have a 6-2 ninth grader (Swayze Black) who is playing well,”said Holmes. Portia Dickey played inside for us some lastyear.”

Point guard Blanche Wilson was making a big impact on the LadyPanthers until she suffered an ankle injury late in the season.Besides handling the basketball, Wilson could light it up from3-point field goal range.

“Blanche Wilson has come along real well,” said Holmes. “AshleyLeggett has started at guard for two years. Kayla Harris (5-9) is apretty offensive-minded kid who is doing well.”

Holmes said senior Katrina Banks will back up Wilson at pointguard. “Our girls are doing well in practice. “I’m real pleasedwith what we are doing. We have good young kids and some goodexperience back.”

Wilson averaged 8 points per game last season. Leggett averaged6 ppg as the Lady Panthers finished runners-up to McComb in thedivision tournament.

Kimyatta Arnold a 6-1 junior, is a newcomer. Kenita Hudson, a5-11 senior, is doing well in practice.

In the division race, Holmes said Wingfield, McComb and SouthPike should be title contenders. “I think the division title is upfor grabs.”

Holmes, 63, is starting his third season at BHS. He’s a McCombnative and a graduate of Louisiana College. His assistant coach isTerri Hall, a Mississippi College product who graduated fromBHS.

The Panthers were eliminated by Terry in theopening round of last season’s division tournament and posted a15-15 worksheet. They were seeded fifth in the tournament.

Hines, 32, is optimistic about his team’s chances in the 2004-05campaign. “We could be just as solid as we have been,” said Hineswho is starting his third year at the helm.

Two of Brookhaven’s starters, guard Jermaine Culver (Co-Lin) andforward Jasper Hall (Meridian) signed junior collegescholarships.

Bud Chatman, Michael Thrasher from football team are expected toplay this season but won’t be available until after the footballplayoffs. They will play the post position.

Only one lettermen returns in Thrasher.

Looking at his partial roster, Hines said he has severalpromising players. Travis Caffie, a 6-3 senior, brings offensiveshooting skills to the team. Darron Reese, a 6-4 sophomore iscounted on to play the forward position. Tory Richardson, a a 5-10freshman, is expected to take over at point guard.

Hines, a Jackson State graduate, said there’s extremely strongcompetition in Division 6-4A. “Terry probably has the mostreturning kids,” said Hines. “Lawrence County should be strong,too.”

Last season, McComb won the division tournament and Jim Hill wonSouth Mississippi.