Competition in the MHSAA Class 5A State Tennis Tournament sends the best against the best. In Brookhaven’s case, the Panthers will encounter their strongest opponents of the 2013 season on Thursday and Friday in the state tourney at Ridgeland Tennis Center.

Ole Brook tennis coach Nancy Fisher believes her team is up to the task. “We’ve had a great season. We won our region and I expect everyone to do well.”

BHS will be represented by 10 players in the individual competition. The team championships will be decided today. The Panthers lost to Gautier last week in the South team semifinals. Oxford plays Stone County in today’s 5A team championship.

Representing the Panthers are Madison Currie in girls singles, Braxton Hinton in boys singles, Kim Smalley and Chantel Quarles in No. 1 girls doubles, Ryan Thibodeaux and Walker Franck in No. 1 boys doubles, Sarah Rice Warren and Jessie Claire Henning in No. 2 girls doubles, and David Clark and Maddie Ogden in mixed doubles.

Hinton, a junior, is the team’s highest seed at No. 4 in the 16-player boys singles draW. Last year he reached the state quarterfinals.

“The competition is tough, especially Ridgeland and Oxford,” said Hinton. He plays Long Beach in the opening round Thursday.

Asked about his game, Hinton said, “I’m stronger with my forehand. We have a great coach.”

Currie, a sophomore, is a No. 5 seed. She has been to state every year since seventh grade but it was in girls doubles. She made the switch to singles and has become a leader on the team.

“No. 5 (seed) is fair to me,” said Currie. “My whole game has changed because I played doubles in the past.”

Her grandfather, Donald Currie, encouraged her to play singles. “He always wanted me to play singles, ever since I was little. I have worked hard on my ground strokes and serving.”

Currie plays Long Beach in the opening round.

Smalley is one of four seniors on the squad, along with Thibodeaux, Franck and Henning.

Quarles, a sophomore, said she enjoys playing doubles. “It’s fun with Kimberly. She’s a competitive player. She’s good at the net.”

Quarles and Smalley face Moss Point in the opening round They defeated that duo in the team championships two weeks ago.

“We should do good,” Quarles predicted. “We were undefeated.” She is most confident using her backhand.

“Chantel is a very consistent player,” said Smalley. “I can count on her.”

They are seeded No. 5.

Smalley said it requires a team effort to excel in doubles. “We are both all over the court at one time. You depend on each other.”

Franck and Thibodeaux, Henning and Warren and Clark and Warren will all face players from Ridgeland in the opening round.

Approaching storm fronts could play havoc with the tournament. Usually played in broiling, 90-degree heat at Ridgeland, the tournament causes many players to suffer cramps from dehydration as they go deeper into the playoffs.

Fisher said, “I believe our team is in good shape. They are fit.”

Fisher and Stacy Walker coach the BHS squad.