CRESTVIEW — Reality has yet to truly set in for the Crestview Bulldogs.

Almost a full month removed from besting Dillard 50-40 in the 7A state title game, senior Marcus Purcell said he still thinks about that weekend in Lakeland “basically every day.”

Most of the time it doesn’t feel real.

The championship was the first for Crestview and Okaloosa County in 34 years. The Bulldogs won back in 1985, beating Northeast (Oakland Park) 58-55 for the 3A title.

It was also the first title for a team west of Tallahassee since 2003, when Woodham (Pensacola) topped Winter Haven 74-63.

Purcell said he and his teammates will be in class or roaming the halls of Crestview High just as they have done for the past four years of their lives when a friend or two reminds them they aren’t average students anymore. They’re something more.

“There go the state champions,” they’ll say.

Purcell just smiles.

“We’re just happy to hear that all the time,” he said.

The Bulldogs heard it loud and clear Wednesday, the Crestview community honoring the reigning state champs with a celebration at Jack Foster Stadium. A few hundred people filled the stands as the sun set over football field’s north end zone. Coach Greg Watson and his team sat in chairs on the field, each wearing a new commemorative T-shirt, smiles on their faces.

“It was good for our guys to be officially recognized,” Watson said. “We kinda put it off, so we could plan a little bit. It’s not our very last sendoff because we’re gonna have our banquet a little later, but it was kind of a last little celebration for the community to be involved.”

The ceremony was short. Watson spoke, as did Athletic Director Tim Hatten, Principal Dexter Day and Marcus Chambers, the Okaloosa County School District Superintendent of Schools.

“This is an amazing thing for not only Crestview High School, but for Okaloosa County,” Chambers said. “Ten years from now, 20 years from now, literally 50 years from now, you’re not only gonna remember the moment when you all won the state title, but you’re gonna remember this moment as well.”

The afternoon’s largest highlight came in the form of an oversized check. Cash Moore, the owner of Cash’s Cabanas, Inc., donated $5,500 to the basketball team, so it could purchase its state championship rings.

“I just wanna thank him,” Watson said. “It’s just awesome for him to be able to do that, to support us like that, to give back to these kids and the community. That just shows what kind of guy he is.”

Purcell and senior Jaden Voisin, arguably the championship game’s MVP after scoring 21 points, finished out the ceremony with short messages of their own, thanking their parents and the community for support.

After all, this was a team effort.

“I like how the community came out to support us,” Purcell said. “The superintendent came out. The mayor came out, that’s a big thing.

“I know all of everybody was ready for this. I know everybody’s happy for us, and it’s a great feeling for us. The whole of Okaloosa County, I thank them, too.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview celebrates state championship

MILTON — The Crestview Bulldogs men’s basketball team faced the Milton Panthers Friday night. It was a close game, but the Bulldogs left Panther home turf with a three-point win, 47-50.

The Bulldogs maintained control of the game’s tempo from the start. Whatever the Bulldogs wanted to do they did at will. Crestview played man-to-man and pressed Milton as the Panthers tried to inbound the ball. Standing out at the start of the game was Marcus Purcell scoring nearly half of the Bulldogs total points with 21. Not to be outdone was Chris Basil with 16 points. They were 74 percent of the team’s offence.

Purcell was able to score however he wanted shooting the three, slashing to the rim and making pull up jumpers. As he ran the point guard, Purcell also got others involved the game as well.

Basil was able to run the floor, get on the free-throw line and energize his team with a never-say-quit attitude.

Milton tried to slowdown these two, but the Panthers just could not take the lead. Crestview is 9-3 with a league record of 1-0.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mens basketball: Crestview Bulldogs get the win at Milton

LAUREL HILL — Kent Zessin is stepping down as Laurel Hill School’s boys basketball coach.

Zessin’s announcement comes after 13 years, 257 wins, four district titles and six playoff appearances.

The longtime educator — who will remain as LHS’s volleyball coach and athletic director — led the Hoboes to district championships in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2007. He also led LHS to the playoffs in 2008 and 2009.

Zessin finishes with an overall record of 257-109 and a .702 winning percentage.

 “Basically, I’m having some health issues,” said Zessin, who had a stroke in 2007. “I’m stepping back at Laurel Hill School so I can spend more time with my family.”

Zessin coached his son, Tyler, in basketball and his daughter, Bridget, in volleyball. Both his children are in college now, and he wants to spend more time with them before they marry and have their own children, he said.

Still, “I’ll miss the game the most when the ball is in the air for the tipoff,” Zessin said. “I’m going to miss it when kids figure out how things work.

“I’m not going to miss practices or the long bus rides. I traveled about 150,000 miles on school buses. I won’t miss the late nights.”

The search for his replacement likely will involve seeing if there will be faculty openings at the end of the current school year, and who might be available, Zessin said.  

He said the school will look for an experienced coach who is a proven leader.  

Zessin summed up his departure from basketball with a famous line from a Tom Hanks movie.

“It’s kind of like the quote from “Forrest Gump:” ‘I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.’”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LHS basketball coach steps down, spending more time with family

BAKER — Eighth-grader Octavius “Junior” McLaughlin is at the threshold of his basketball career.

McLaughlin is already a starter for Baker School’s boys basketball team, and the sky seems to be the limit for the talented young player.

“With him practicing against the varsity (this year), we just saw him keep getting better and better,” Gator Coach Janavor Weatherspoon said. “We were just waiting for him to come up to the varsity. We expect him to be a leader for Baker for the next four years.

“He’s a great ball handler; he can score, he’s pretty level-headed. His attitude is really good. He’s just an all-around good player.”

Weatherspoon expects McLaughlin to stay at guard even if he has the typical growth one would expect through his high school career.

“The way he handles the ball we just want him to stay at guard,” he said.

We now catch up with Junior McLaughlin.

How old were you when you started playing basketball?

I was 6.

What's the best part of basketball?

Winning.

What's the worst part of basketball?

Losing.

What are your expectations for the rest of the season?

To give good effort.

If you had to pick a different sport to play, what would it be?

Football, because I love it.

What is your favorite basketball experience?

Winning and making it to district finals.

What are your hobbies outside basketball?

Football or street basketball.

What's your dream career?

I want to play pro football.

Do you want to play college basketball?

I want to play football at Alabama because of Nick Saban.

What is your favorite movie?

“The Blind Side.”

Who is your favorite singer?

RET ONE TDE

If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?

A Ninja Turtle, because they’ve got super power.

If you could live in any other period in history, which one would you choose?

I’d go back two years, because that was fun.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 13 things you didn't know about Baker's Junior McLaughlin

FREEPORT — An up and coming Baker School boys basketball team met Class 1A power Chipley in the District 3-1A tournament championship game Friday night in the Freeport High School gym.

The outcome of the game was what most people probably expected, the Tiger won going away 85-62 behind the play of senior Florida State signee Trent Forrest.

Forrest led a all scorers with 30 points and showed that he is more than just a scoring threat hitting teammates with precision passes to lead to open baskets.

But it the Gators (16-7) had their moments too.

Down by 17 with five minutes left in the half Baker rallied behind the sharp shooting of senior Austin Walters  and the inside play of eighth grade point guard Junior McLaughlin.

A 3-pointer by Walters with 2:27 left in the half cut capped a 12-1 Gator run and pulled the Gators to within six points of the Tigers.

Baker never got any closer as Chipley closed out the half with a 9-0 run to take control of the game.

In the end the Tigers had too much experience and fire power.

“We had a good game plan, but we just didn’t execute it,” second-year Baker coach Janavor Weatherspoon said. “ But it says something that we are back in the playoffs.

“We are young and we will learn from this and get better.”

Forrest was joined in double figures by Adrian Sims and Justin Campbell, who each scored 17.

Gator freshman Derek Peoples score 11 points in the fourth quarter to match Walters with high-point honors for the Gators. McLaughlin chipped in 14.

Baker opens the playoffs Thursday on the road against the District 4-1A champions.

CHIPLEY 85, BAKER 62

Baker        16   14  19  13 – 62

Chipley     28   17  26  14 – 85

BAKER (62)

Derek Peoples 17, Kalee Ciurleo 9, Austin Walters 17, Junior McLaughlin 14, Matt Samuolis 3, Jalen Ciurleo 2. Totals  15 7 11-22 62.

CHIPLEY (85)

Adrian Sims 17, Chad Carmichael 4, Justin Campbell 17, Trey Thurman 3, Daniel Floyd 4, Trent Forrest 33, Elijah Staten 3, Grant Rowell 3, Brian Williams 1. Totals 29 5 12-23 85.

Baker-Chipley boys basketball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker falls to Chipley in district final (PHOTOS)

FORT WALTON BEACH  — There won’t be any runs deep into the playoffs for Crestview High School’s boys basketball team this year.

After back-to-back trips to the Elite Eight the Bulldogs will be watching the post season this year after dropping a 66-61 heartbreaker to Choctawhatchee in the District 2-6A tournament opener Tuesdy.

The two evenly matched teams traded big halves in a clash to see who will travel to Fort Walton Beach on Friday to meet the Vikings for the district crown but Choctaw’s start was better than Crestview’s finish.

“Crestview has a great team,” Indian coach Andy Thigpen said. “They have some great players. You just pray and have faith and our team just stepped up and got it done.

“My kids had heart. They wanted it. And we had some big time players step up.”

A 3-pointer by Rusty Moorer 20 seconds into the game gave Crestview an early lead that didn’t last long.

Less than two minutes later the Indians took the lead and steadily pushed ahead to what seemed to be an insurmountable lead of 39-21 at the half.

D’Eddrick Rodgers and Josh Williams led Choctaw’s first-half charge as Williams scored 10 of his team-high 15 points in the first half and Rodgers added eight as the Indians (17-9) seemed to take control of the game.

But in the second half the Bulldogs (15-10) showed the stuff that took them to back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. 

Crestview turned up the defensive pressure in the second half and with Moorer and Andrew Adkins leading the charge cut the Choctaw lead to 45-40 at the end of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs continued to plug back in the fourth quarter and tied the game at 55-55 when Marquis McClain scored on the inside off a steal with 3:33 left in the game.

The final 3:30 belonged to the Indians as they regained their composure and pulled away to the win.

Adkins led all scorers with 18 points. Moorer finished with 13 and Marcus Purcell chipped in 11.

CHOCTAW 66, CRESTVIEW 61

Crestview      13   8  19   21 – 61

Choctaw        20  19   6   21 – 66

CRESTVIEW (61)

Marquis McClain 6, Rusty Moorer 13, Andrew Adkins 18, Keenan Redd 3, Sam Johnson 6, Marcus Purcell 11, Chris Bryant 4. Totals 14 6 15-26 61.

CHOCTAW (66)

Bobby Sanders 2, Zay Fuller 2, Chris Pickett 4, Dewayne Samms 4, DJ Thomas 9, Bryson Mitchen 6, D’Eddrick Rodgers 12, Diante Smith 12, Josh Williams 15. Totals 18 4 18-26 66.

Crestview-Choctaw boys basketball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview boys must wait until next year (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW  — Next year, things should be better for Crestview High School’s girls basketball team.

The Bulldogs played much of the 2015-16 short handed after departures and injuries reduced the Crestview starting lineup to one returner, Tiara Payne.

Despite a season of adversity the Bulldogs battled until the very end.

The end came Tuesday against Fort Walton Beach in the opening round of the District 2-6A tournament.

Crestview led 21-8 with less than a minute left in the first half, but as the old Paul Simon song from 1977, “Slip Sliding Away,” pointed out, “The nearer your destination the more you’re slip sliding away.”

A young Bulldog team, comprised of many players that would have been on the junior varsity, saw the game slip slide away in the second half as Fort Walton Beach rolled to a 50-38 win.

“We had the perfect game plan,” Bulldog Coach Kathy Combest said. “But my girls are young. I have four girls that start that (should) play JV (junior varsity).

“I think the turning point in the game was them turning up the defense and our girls freaking out. You have to play the whole four quarters. You can’t assume because you are up 10 or up 12 that you are going to win.”

The first 15-and-a-half minutes of the game belonged to Crestview (8-12) as the Bulldogs pounded the ball inside to Payne and Netaya Winston. Back-to-back scores by Aliyah Brown and Amiah Banks gave the Bulldogs a 13-point lead with 75 seconds left in the first half.

The final 16-and-a-half minutes belonged the Vikings. A pair of P-Nut Payton baskets in the final 35 seconds of the first half pulled the Vikings (18-6) to within nine at the half. The lift seemed to carry over into the second half as Fort Walton Beach outscored Crestview 38-17 to secure the win.

Payton led a trio of Vikings in double figures with 17 points. Loesa Greenwood scored 13 and Davenport added 12.

Payne led Crestview with 16 points. Winston added 10.

FORT WALTON BEACH 50, CRESTVIEW 38

Crestview                 10   11   10    7 – 38

Fort Walton Beach      6    6    21  17 – 50

CRESTVIEW (38)

Aliyah Brown 4, Amiah Banks 3, Tiara Payne 16, Kashira Casey 2, Nyquala Collins 3, Netaya Winston 10. Totals 16 0 6-13 38.

FORT WALTON BEACH (50)

P-Nut Payton 17, Dominique Dorsey 6, Aalayah Davenport 12, Yvonne Ford 2, Loesa Greenwood 13. Totals 14 3 13-28 50.

Crestview-Fort Walton Beach girls basketball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview looks to future as season ends

LAUREL HILL —  Bryson Cooper is a jack of all trades for Laurel Hill School’s boys basketball team.

The junior also is the "best-rounded player we have,” Laurel Hill Coach Kent Zessin said. “He can play all five positions on the court. We try to use him where he gives us our best advantage, and he doesn’t mind that.

“He just goes in there and gives it 100 percent. He’s a true competitor. He’s going to have potential to go big in the next level.”

Standing 6 feet, 2 inches, Cooper has settled in at point guard for the Hoboes and averages more than 20 points a game and five or six assists.

We now catch up with Bryson Cooper.

How old were you when you started playing basketball?

I was probably around 4. My dad and mom introduced it to me.

What's the best part of basketball?

Playing with my little brother (Mason).

What's the worst part of basketball?

Losing.

What are your expectations this season?

Hopefully to get another chance with Paxton and win the district.

If you had to pick a different sport to play, what would it be?

Probably football, because it’s a physical sport and I never got the chance to put a helmet on and go out and hit people.

What is your favorite basketball experience?

When I was in the eighth grade and we beat Paxton for the (district) championship.

What are your hobbies outside basketball?

I like to hang out with my friends, go shopping, go hunting and fishing.

What's your dream career?

I’d like to do something with business.

Do you want to play college basketball?

Yes, my dream school is Kentucky. If that doesn’t work out I’d take anywhere.

What is your favorite movie?

“Love and Basketball”

Who is your favorite singer?

Future

If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?

Bugs Bunny, because he’s got the ladies.

If you could live in any other period in history, which one would you choose?

Probably about 10 years ago before my great-grandmother died, because I don’t remember her that well.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 13 Things you didn't know about Laurel Hill's Bryson Cooper

LAUREL HILL  — There’s a good chance Laurel Hill School’s boys basketball team will face rival Paxton in the upcoming District 1-1A semifinal game.

If the teams do meet the Hoboes should have extra incentive to take down the Bobcats after a heartbreaking 70-60 loss Friday night.

In what can only be described as another typical Laurel Hill-Paxton showdown, the Bobcats scored 16 fourth quarter points from the free throw to seal the win.

But as the late baseball philosopher Yogi Berra would have said, the game wasn’t over until it was over.

Anyone that knows the backyard rivalry between the two schools would understand that wouldn’t come easy.

The Bobcats and Hoboes were tied at 57-57  with 3:38 left in the final period when Zack Varnum hit a pair of free throws to put Paxton in front for good.

“I thought the difference in the game, and why we got into foul trouble, is because we were heavily trying to favor (guard) Zack and put the pressure on him,” Hobo Coach Kent Zessin said. They were getting a lot of weak side rebounds. “They had three or four key possessions early in the fourth quarter that they got some rebounds and scored on the second opportunity.

“It was a typical Paxton-Laurel Hill game. If you want to show up and watch a good basketball game that will get you fired up this is the one to be watching.”

The Bobcats (19-3, 12-0) scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, but only four of those points came on field goals. Paxton toed the line 23 times in the fourth quarter.

As the Paxton free throws continued to mount so did the Hobo foul trouble. Bryson Cooper, Mason Cooper and TJ. White fouled out in the fourth quarter

The game started as a shootout between Bryson Cooper and Varnum as Cooper scored 10 of his team-high 20 points for the Hoboes in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Varnum scored nine of his game-high 28 in the first nine minutes as the teams traded baskets.

Grant Stewart picked up the slack for Paxton in the second quarter when Varnum got into foul trouble. Stewart scored six of his 20 points in the second period.

White helped keep things close for Laurel Hill (10-7, 6-6) with a pair of 3-pointers as Paxton led 36-29 at the half.

Bryson Cooper had 17 of his team-high 20 points at the half, but younger brother Mason was just getting warmed up.

After going scoreless in the first half, Mason Cooper scored 13 points in the final two quarters to keep the Hoboes within striking distance before Paxton pulled away from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.

PAXTON 70, LAUREL HILL 60

Paxton          13   23   12   20 – 70

Laurel Hill   14   15   11   20 – 60

PAXTON (70)

Jack Hamilton 6, Hunter Allen 3, Garrett Bodie 12, Grant Stewart 20, Zack Varnum 28. Totals 16 4 26-33 70.

LAUREL HILL (60)

T.J. White 8, Mason Cooper 13, Dakota Bly 7, Justin Simmons 1, Cam Gordon 7, Sam Durm 2, Bryson Cooper 20. Totals 16 4 16-21 60.

Basketball box: Paxton at Laurel Hill boys

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Paxton free throws sink Laurel Hill (PHOTOS)