Brookhaven Academy ready to start football season – Daily Leader

BROOKHAVEN — Brookhaven Academy's MAIS girls soccer season kicks off next Tuesday against the Hattiesburg Forerunners, and senior Ava Calcote said this will be her final soccer season.

Coach Alex Brown said Calcote returns as a leader and captain for the team. Calcote is an experienced defender who has played for the Cougars the past four seasons, including last year's team that reached the Southern State Championship.

Of the 16 players committed for the 2023 season, 12 returned this year, and Calcote said he is looking forward to his final year.

“I've played with Coach Alex for four years now and it's fun to watch other players develop,” Calcote said. “It's great to see the seeds that Coach sowed grow. I've improved my skills with the ball and all the little things. I was a captain last year and enjoyed the leadership that everyone looked up to me for. It's something Coach entrusted to me and I hold myself to a high standard.”

Another team

This team has the potential to be better than last season, and Calcote said despite losing key seniors such as Regan Fortenberry, Mallory Martin, Ramsey Brown and Carmen Lambert, the team is working well as a team.

Brown said the team has grown a lot, with many young players getting plenty of playing time and playoff experience over the past two seasons.

“I think the biggest thing that's helped their development over the last 12 months has been practicing two to three times a week with LaMarvin Ashley at KDMC, playing with their club team in the spring and just how much effort they've put in and how hard they've worked throughout the summer,” Brown said. “The girls have worked so hard for me.”

Up front, freshman Camille Calcote will have to take over for goal scorer Regan Fortenberry, and Ava said Camille could be a distant relative.

Kendra Quinn can fill the attacking midfielder role that was previously filled by Mallory Martin. Quinn transfers from Bogue Chitto, where she was one of the strongest players on that Bobcat team.

Things may look a little different this year for Brookhaven Academy, as senior goalkeeper Ainsley Au will miss her final soccer season with a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament, and Calcote said seventh-grader Elizabeth Darr has filled in well in the starting goalkeeper role.

“It's great to see her progress so far. She's done a really great job,” Calcote said. “She's still young so it's going to be different, but she's learned so much so quickly and I think she's going to do great.”

Calcote isn't the only player on the backline. She and fellow senior defenders Mattie Claire Smith and Chloe Nelson have been playing soccer together for a while and have a special bond between them. Coach Brown said all of the defenders, including All, are leaders on the team.

“Chloe didn't start playing soccer until her sophomore year, but she has grown so much as a player and teammate,” Brown said. “Ainsley is out this season, but she attends all of our practices and encourages the younger players. I have a great group of seniors on my team who are all great players and great people as well. They have definitely made Coach Brannon's (Dickerson) and my job easier in leading the team.”

The “last” first match

Practices began in early June and all the hard work, physical training and drills will pay off next week. Tuesday's games kick off at 5:30pm for the junior team and 6:30pm for the varsity team.

For Ava, this will be her “last” first game as a soccer player. After graduation, she plans to attend the University of Mississippi and major in education or social work.

“It's the beginning of the end for me and I'm a little sad, but I know our team will do their best and I'm excited and nervous that this is the end,” Ava said. “I feel like the Lord has put it on my heart to help kids that are in difficult situations and let them know that someone loves them. I love that. I have a heart for the kids. It's something the Lord is leading me to do.”