high-school | Crestview News Bulletin

Baker softball team slams Catholic

Written by archive on February 12, 2016. Posted in high-school, softball, Sports.

BAKER — Two games into the 2016 season Baker School’s softball team is off to a fast start.

Three days after opening the season with a 10-0 win over Central; the Gators broke out the big sticks again Thursday in a 17-3 win over Catholic.

Baker got off to a shaky start in the top of the first inning when the Crusaders scored three runs. The Catholic rally was aided by three walks from Gator pitcher Allison Newell.

The rest of the game belonged to the Gators.

“We started off a little shaky in that first inning,” Baker Coach John Carlisle said. “One of the biggest things I was proud of is we gave up three in the top half of the first inning and came back and got three in the bottom half (of the inning).

“I feel very confident about our lineup and the girls we have in there. I thought we would be able to at least get one (run), but to come back and match that and get three, that’s huge.”

Baker tied the game in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game. Shelby Sloan reaches second base on a Crusader error to lead off the inning.

Sloan scored on a single by Emily Stewart. Mykala McCranie followed Stewart with a single. Stewart and McCranie scored on an Ashley Black double.

The Gators took the lead in the second inning when Bethany McCranie led off the inning with an infield single and Sloan hit an inside the park home run.

Whatever hopes Catholic had of getting back in the game were dashed in the third inning as Baker sent 18 batters to the plate and scored 12 runs on just seven hits. Gator batters worked Catholic pitchers for six walks and two Baker batters were hit by pitches.

The big hits of the inning were a two-run single by Jenna Bush and a three-run double by Stewart.

Shelby led the Baker attack with four runs, two hits and drove in three runs. Stewart scored two runs, had two hits and four runs batted in. Jessica Black scored twice and had two hits.

Ashley Black drove in three runs. And Bethany McCranie scored three runs.

Baker’s defense also was impressive turning a pair of double plays. But left fielder Gracie Edge turned in the defensive play of the game when she made a diving catch in foul territory to secure the final out and wrap up the win.

Newell went the distance in the circle for the Gators allowing five hits and striking out one.

“One of the things I tried to remind the girls tonight was, ‘You’ve got to remain humble.’” Carlisle said. “You can’t stay too low or too high because this game will change in a drop of a hat.

“I really like this team. I really like what we’ve got. I just hope we can keep it rolling.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker softball team slams Catholic

Crestview opens baseball season with win (PHOTOS)

Written by archive on February 10, 2016. Posted in baseball, high-school, Sports.

CRESTVIEW — Chilly weather greeted Crestview High School’s baseball team Tuesday as the Bulldogs opened the season against Pine Forest.

The temperatures might have been cool, but Crestview’s bats were red hot as the Bulldogs pounded out 12 hits en route to a 13-3 win to help celebrate the birthday of Crestview Coach Tim Gillis.

The game was called after five innings on the mercy rule.

“I really liked our bats,” Gillis said. “Even our outs were hard outs. You have to have some threats up and down the lineup and we really do.

“There’s nothing like winning. We got a lead and didn’t get satisfied and that’s always good to see.”

Every batter in the Bulldog starting lineup reached base at least one time.

Five players: Zach Degraaf, Devin Wimmer, Dayne Justice, BA Larkins and Alik Whited each had two hits.

Wimmer didn’t score, but he drove in four runs from his cleanup spot in the batting order.

Crestview (1-0) didn’t waste any time getiing on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning.

With one out, Austin Polk reached on an error, Corey Armstrong walked and both scored on a double by Wimmer.

Crestview added four runs in each of the second and third innings pushing innings pushing the score to 10-1

Armstrong had the big hit of the second inning, a two-run single. Crestview sent 10 batters to the plate in the big third inning.

All of Pine Forest’s runs were unearned. The Eagles scored a run in the third and two in the fourth.

The Bulldogs put the finishing touches on the win in the bottom of the fifth using a two-out rally to seal the win.

Matt French reached on a walk. Justice singled. Larkins drove in French with a base hit.

A Whited double scored Justice and Degraaf ended the game with a base hit to score Larkins.

Jeremy Willis and Ryan Weekley teamed up on the mound to hold Pine Forest to three hits.

Willis picked up the win working three innings and striking out six Eagle batters.

“I was planning on throwing four or five guys, but when we went five that changed that,” Gillis said. “But I’ll take that any day of the week.

“For us to finish the game off, I was proud of that.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview opens baseball season with win (PHOTOS)

Baker softball team shines in season opening win

Written by archive on February 9, 2016. Posted in high-school, softball, Sports.

BAKER —If Monday’s season-opening performance by Baker School’s softball team is an indication of things to come the Gators should be in the mix of things in District 3-1A.

A balance of youth and experience was on display against Central and it was an impressive display.

Freshman pitcher Shelby Sloan threw a two-hit shutout and seniors Mykala McCranie and Ashley Black hit home runs as Baker rolled to a 10-0 win.

The game was called on the 10-run rule in the sixth inning after the Gators (1-0) struck for five runs on a three-run home run by McCranie and a two-run homer by Black.

“I’ve been excited about this team since before we started in January because of the potential we have,” Gator Coach John Carlisle said. “We have a mix of some youth and we have some older girls, some seniors, that I think are going to be able to do some good things for us.

“And I think we’ve got some younger girls that are going to come through for us as well. I’m just pumped about it. I really like what we’ve got and pleased with the way we performed.”

Sloan was impressive in the circle throughout the game walking just three to go along with the two hits while striking out four Jaguar batters.

When Central did get runners on base the Gator defense was quick to turn away any threats with a pair of double plays.

Haley Gauthier, who doubled for the Jaguars in the fifth inning, was the only Central base runner to reach scoring position.

Hits and runs were no problem for the Gators as they pounded out 15 hits on the night.

Eight of the nine Baker batters had at least one hit.

Black and Emily Stewart led the Gator hit parade with three hits each. McCranie, Sloan and Allison Newell each had two hits.

Black, Stewart and Sloan each scored twice.

The Gators scored the only run they would need in the bottom of the first when Stewart doubled and later scored on a Jenna Elmer base hit.

Baker added three runs on four hits in the fourth inning. Bethany McCranie had a run scoring single and Stewart drove in a pair of runs with a soft fly into right field. The score was 5-0 after five when Black singled and scored on a base hit by Newell.

Baker finished off strong in the sixth as Sloan and Stewart singled and were on base when Mykala McCranie, fresh off a state championship in weightlifting, muscled a ball out of the yard deep into the game in left-center field.

Elmer then singled and was on base when Black pulled a ball down the left field line for the game-ending home run.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker softball team shines in season opening win

13 things you didn't know about Baker's Junior McLaughlin

Written by archive on February 8, 2016. Posted in basketball, high-school, Sports.

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

Baker falls to Chipley in district final (PHOTOS)

Written by archive on February 6, 2016. Posted in basketball, high-school, Sports.

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)

Baker's Oglesby, McCranie win state weightlifting titles

Written by archive on February 5, 2016. Posted in high-school, Sports, weightlifting.

Friday was a banner day for Baker School’s girls weightlifting team at the Class 1A state championship in Kissimmee. Powered by state champions Mykala McCranie and Mary Oglesby the Gators finished fourth in the state.

Oglesby, a senior picked up the gold medal in the 183 pound class with combined lifts totaling 365 pound. She 15 pounds ahead of the second-place lifter.

The championship was a long time coming for Oglesby, but it was worth the wait.

“It’s a culmination of everything I worked for the last seven years and it paid off,” she said. “I had a good day, but I didn’t have my best day.

“It’s still amazing.”

McCranie, like Oglesby is a senior and a veteran of multiple state competitions. She won the unlimited class with lifts totally 415 pounds. Her closest competitor was 45 pounds behind with lifts of 370.

“It feels amazing,” McCranie said. “I’m so blessed to have come to state five years and win once.”

Baker Coach David Oglesby, Mary’s father, said all the girls at state made a great showing for themselves.

“I’m proud of all the girls,” he said. “They worked so hard.

“This is huge because a lot of people are going to take notice of girls weightlifting because we have two state champions.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker's Oglesby, McCranie win state weightlifting titles

13 things you didn't know about Baker's Mykala McCranie

Written by archive on February 2, 2016. Posted in high-school, Sports, weightlifting.

BAKER — Mykala McCranie, facing Friday’s Class 1A state girls weightlifting championships in Kissimmee, is second to none.

The Baker School senior competes in the unlimited class, where her lifts are 40 pounds better than the state's second-best lifter. If all goes as planned, by the end of Friday, McCranie will stand on the podium as a state champion.

Gator girls weightlifting Coach David Oglesby said McCranie is everything a coach could hope for in a lifter.

“In a nutshell, you could say about Mykala, that she’s a silent leader, but she does everything right,” he said. “She works hard and people see that.

“She has been to state every time since eighth grade.”

McCranie is the rare lifter whose bench press and clean are almost equal.

“The funny thing is she’s 210 on the bench and 205 clean so she’s right there,” Oglesby said. “I think she can do 220 at the state in the bench and I think she might be able to do 220 in the power clean.

“I think she’s not where she’s going to be when she gets to state. I think she’s going to have personal records at state.”

We now catch up with Mykala McCranie.

How old were you when you started weightlifting?

I want to say I was 14. I was in the eighth grade.

What's the best part of weightlifting?

Coming in and spending time with the girls and having fun.

What's the worst part of weightlifting?

Whenever we have to run.

What are your expectations this season?

Hopefully to win a state championship.

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

Soccer, because it’s a lot of fun.

What is your favorite weightlifting experience?

Probably last year at state, spending time with the girls that went down there. We had a lot of fun.

What are your hobbies outside weightlifting?

Hunting, fishing, softball.

What's your dream career?

A neonatal nurse.

Do you want to lift weights in college?

I think it would be fun.

What is your favorite movie?

“The Lion King.”

Who is your favorite singer?

Seventh Time Down, a Christian group.

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

Sponge Bob, because that was the last one I watched.

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

I would probably go 20 or 25 years into the future to see how things turned out.

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

Baker weightlifters eye state championship

Written by archive on February 2, 2016. Posted in high-school, Sports, weightlifting.

BAKER — Five lifters from Baker School’s girls weightlifting team will be in Kissimmee on Friday for the Class 1A state finals.

Four of them won their region, and three have the best lifts in the state heading into the state finals.

Veterans Mykala McCranie — unlimited class — and Mary Oglesby — 189 class — lead the Gator forces.

McCranie this year has lifted 40 pounds more than anyone in her class. Oglesby is right behind her, having lifted 35 pounds more than the 189 class' second-best lifter.

Sarah Nunley (119) is tied with best lift in the state. Brittany Anderson is a region champion in the 169 class and Taylor Brunson qualified in the 154 class.

Gator Coach David Oglesby, Mary’s father, is excited about Baker’s chances at state.

“They changed the weightlifting into two divisions,” he said. “1A is going to lift on Friday, and 2A is going to lift on Saturday. This is actually the first time at the state meet that it’s going to be a little bit more level.

“Since they (the state) divided it up into two classes, we are not going against the Navarres and the Nicevilles and the Fort Walton Beaches anymore. Whereas we would go down there before and hope (to have lifters) place, four of my lifters could win state championships.”

The girls are equally excited about the state meet.

“I know (as a senior) this is it, so I’m blessed to have the opportunity to go down there and compete,” Mary Oglesby said. “This is my last shot. I’m blessed to have this group of girls. It’s been a great group to work with, so to bring home something ( a state championship) that symbolizes all of our work would be awesome.”

McCranie has been to the state meet every year since she was in the eighth grade, but competing at state never gets old for her.

“It’s nerve-racking, but it’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s really important to get the championship. I love this school and I would love to see it because it hasn’t happened in the past.”

Brunson — better known for her volleyball court exploits — is ready to give the big stage her best shot.

“It’s a totally different situation than volleyball,” she said. “It’s an individual sport, so you don’t have to worry about the other (lifters on the team).

"It would be awesome for the school to win a state championship.”

Nunley said she can be her own worst enemy.

“I’m a head case,” she said. “I just need to get it in my head that I can actually do what I’m capable of.

“I went (to the state meet) last year to watch Mykala and Mary, so I know what it looks like, but I’m hoping to get first and bring home a state championship.”

This also is Anderson’s first trip to the state meet.

“I’m excited about going, but I’m nervous thinking about it,” she said. “I have to push myself harder to get to where I need to be.”

After losing to Mosley by a point in the region, David Oglesby knows that, even with the new classification system, Baker will lift against schools two, three or four times larger than it is.

And while he wouldn’t predict who would win, he was confident in making a statement about his team.

“Nobody is going to work harder than our Baker student athletes,” he said. "No one.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker weightlifters eye state championship

Crestview boys must wait until next year (PHOTOS)

Written by archive on February 2, 2016. Posted in basketball, high-school, Sports.

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 looks to future as season ends

Written by archive on January 27, 2016. Posted in basketball, high-school, Sports.

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

Baker-Chipley boys basketball box

Crestview-Choctaw boys basketball box

Crestview-Fort Walton Beach girls basketball box

850.682.6524