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)

FORT WALTON BEACH  — Crestview High School’s boys basketball team will have to wait until the tournament to get another District 2-6A win.

The Bulldogs had their chances against Fort Walton Beach on Tuesday, but they came up short despite a 26-point effort by Bulldog freshman Marcus Purcell. 

Dakota Blackmon hit the second of two free throws with 0.04 seconds left in the game to give Fort Walton Beach High School’s boys basketball team a 62-61 win over Crestview on Tuesday.

The win wrapped up the top seed for the Vikings (7-12, 3-0) in the upcoming District 2-6A tournament, and better yet, assured Fort Walton Beach of a spot in the upcoming playoffs.

For the second time in as many games, the Bulldogs couldn’t hold a double-digit lead against the Vikings.

Fort Walton Beach used a zone defense in the first half to take a 25-17 lead at the half.

But the Bulldogs were just getting started. Crestview went to a full-court press to open the third quarter that led to a 25-2 run to start the second half.

Marquis McClain, Rusty Moorer and Marcus Purcell had hot hands as Crestview led 42-27 with 3:20 left in the period.

A 3-pointer by William Jordan seemed to bring the Vikings back to life.

It was Jordan’s heroics late in the fourth quarter that also gave the Vikings a boost.

With 35 seconds lef in the game Jordan scored off the steal of a Bulldog inbounds pass to put Fort Walton Beach in front 60-59.

Andrew Adkins scored for Crestview with 21 seconds left to put the Bulldogs back in front.

Blackmon hit 1-of-2 free throws with eight seconds left in the game to tie it.

The Bulldogs had a chance to win it in regulation or at least go to overtime, but Crestview was called for a foul on a missed shot to send Blackmon to the line for the game winner.

Blackmon led the Vikings in scoring with 16 points.

Purcell was the only Bulldog in double figures. McClain finished the night with nine points and Moorer scored eight points.

FORT WALTON BEACH 62, CRESTVIEW 61

Crestview                   2   15   33   11 – 61

Fort Walton Beach  10   15   12   25 – 62

CRESTVIEW (61)

Marquis McClain 9, Rusty Moorer 8, Capri Jones 4, Andrew Adkins 4, Keenan Redd 4, Sam Johnson 2, Marcus Purcell 26, Tyrese Seals 2, Chris Bryant 2. Totals 18 3 16-24 61.

FORT WALTON BEACH (62)

Malik Straham 4, Marquis Jackson 11, William Jordan 14, Trevor Cochran 13, Dakota Blackmon 16, Antonio Marshall 4. Totals 18 6 8-15 62.

Crestview-Fort Walton Beach boys basketball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview lets one slip away from Fort Walton Beach

FORT WALTON BEACH  — If Crestview High School's boys basketball team hopes to make another deep run into the playoffs the Bulldogs must improve in several areas of their game.

Perhaps the most important area the Bulldogs need to improve on is defense.

Crestview’s defensive struggles were on display Friday when the Bulldogs traveled to Choctawhatchee in a District 2-6A game that can best be described as a shootout in the Teepee.

The Indians entered the game looking for their first district win and they got it.

Led by Dewayne Samms’ 15 points, four Indian players scored in double figures as Choctaw took the 84-73 win.

Bulldog Coach George Stakley admitted, before the game, he would have been happy to know his team scored 73 points

“Seventy-three points,” he said, “I don’t think we’ve scored that many points all year, so I would think we would win.

“I thought we did well offensively. The things that hurt us were what we did defensively. We just have to keep working on boxing out and making sure they don’t get a second shot.”

In reality there wasn’t much defense in the game for either team.

Crestview led 5-1 early on baskets by Marcus Purcell and Chris Bryant before things got interesting. Zay Fuller scored on a 3-point play to make it 5-4.

The Indians took their first lead of the game at 9-7 on a Fuller 3-pointer.

A 3-pointer by Samms with 3:47 left in the first quarter put Choctaw (13-8, 1-2) in front for good.

The game was filled with runs by both teams.

Just when it would seem that Choctaw had taken control of the game the Bulldogs (12-7, 1-2) came back with a run of their own. In the end the Indians had one more run than Crestview and took the win.

Samms was joined in double figures by DJante Smith and DJ Thomas with 14 points and Fuller with 13 points.

Crestview’s Purcell had a game high 27 points. Marquis McClain added 22 and Rusty Moorer 11.

CHOCTAW 84, CRESTVIEW 73

Crestview     13  19  24  17 – 73

Choctaw        20  18  21  25 – 84

CRESTVIEW (73)

Marquis McClain 22, Rusty Moore 11, Keenan Redd 3, Sam Johnson 2, Marcus Purcell 27, Tyrese Seals 2, Chris Bryant. Totals 25 6 5-10 73.

CHOCTAW (84)

Bobby Sanders 2, Zay Fuller 13, Chris Pickett 4, Dewayne Samms 15, Chris McGaughy, D’eddrick Rodgers 6, DJante Smith 14, Josh Williams 5. Totals 21 10 12-17 84.

Crestview-Choctaw boys basketball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview falls in shootout with Choctaw (PHOTOS)

FORT WALTON BEACH  — It didn’t take long for Choctawhatchee High School to take control of Thursday’s District 2-6A girls basketball game with Crestview.

The Indians used their length and quickness to break open the game midway through the first quarter on the way to a 67-32 win.

Choctaw (17-4, 4-0) struck first when Malaysia Moore scored a little more than a minute into the game. Kashira Casey’s only basket of the night tied the game at 2-2 with 6:37 left in the first period.

The teams again traded baskets with Justyce Riggs doing the honors for Choctaw and Tiara Payne scoring for the Bulldogs (6-8, 0-4). The game was tied 4-4 with 5:57 left in the first quarter. By end of the quarter the Indians led 19-8 and had control of the game.

Choctaw’s senior post player, Nadia Fingall scored, six of her 11 points in the first quarter. And while Fingall had a quiet game by her standards the Indians had plenty of scoring to around.

Moore scored six points in the second quarter and Gabby Brown scored five of her game-high 19 points as the Indians pushed the lead to 36-16 at the half.

Nyquaja Collins scored four points for Crestview in the second quarter, but she was no match for the onslaught by the Indians.

Choctaw led 50-25 at the end of the third quarter and reached the running clock that is activated when a team has a 35-point lead with 1:54 left in the fourth quarter.

Payne led the Bulldogs with nine points  Neteya Winston had seven points.

Crestview closes out the regular season next week with games against Mosley and Niceville.

And while the season hasn’t gone as Bulldog Coach Kathy Combest had liked, she’s hopeful a tough non-district schedule will prepare the upcoming district tournament.

“We played the teams from Pensacola and other places to get us ready for the post season,” she said. “We have to improve, but we will play hard.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview girls fall to Choctaw (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — If Crestview High School’s girls basketball team is a little bettered prepared when it meets Fort Walton Beach in the District 2-6A tournament later this month Tuesday’s game will have a big part in the preparation.

Nothing came easy for either team in what, for the most part, was an ugly game.

Free throws didn’t come easy as the teams combined to hit just 24-of-47 from the line. Three-point baskets didn’t come easy as the Vikings hit the only two 3-pointers of the night.

And even getting the ball into the front court was difficult at times.

It was the ability of the Vikings to pressure Crestview during a three-minute stretch in the third quarter that was the difference in the game as Fort Walton Beach took a 53-47 win.

The Viking led 31-26 with 6:30 left in the third quarter when Fort Walton Beach coach Holly McDaniel went to the full court press. The press led to 10 unanswered points, six of which came from Alysia McLeod as the Vikings seemed to take control of the game up 41-26.

 “The press hurt us,” Crestview Coach Kathy Combest said. “We lost our composure, I thought, because my kids are young. Seeing the press they know what to expect when they go into district.

“They are going to battle. It’s a shame that all my ball handlers are straight off the junior varsity team from last year. But they are learning and we are just going to keep battling.”

And battle the Bulldogs (6-7, 0-3) did.

A basket by Aliyiah Brown snapped the Viking streak and seemed to help the Bulldogs find their groove.

Crestview continued to chip away at the Fort Walton lead closing to within three points. In the end the hill was too steep and Fort Walton Beach (16-5, 2-2) took the win.

The Bulldogs battled early as well and led throughout the first quarter as Tiara Payne got off to a quick start scoring seven points to give the Bulldogs a 13-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Vikings led 30-24 at the half.

Peanut Payton led the Vikings in scoring with 15 points. McLeed and Julia Turner each had eight points.

Payne led all scorers for Crestview with 16 points. Amiah Banks added 15 for the Bulldogs.

FORT WALTON BEACH 53, CRESTVIEW 47

Fort Walton Beach    10   20   13  10 – 53

Crestview                   13   11     9  14 – 47

FORT WALTON BEACH (53)

Dominique Darby 6, Aaliyah Davenport 4, Yvonne Ford 2, Leesa Greenwood 6, Alysia McLeod 8, Peanut Payton 15, Sakeenah Rasheed 1, Julia Turner 8, Alexis Gilliam 3. Totals 21 2 5-13 53.

CRESTVIEW (47)

Amiah Banks 15, Aliyiah Brown 4, Tiara Payne 16, Kashira Casey 3, Nyquaja Collins 2, Dionjenae Hendrix 4, Catera Rutland 1, Netaya Winston 2. Totals 14 0 19-34 47.

Cresetview-Fort Walton Beach girls basketball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview comes up short against VIkings (PHOTOS)

BAKER — Derek Peoples wasted no time stepping into the Baker School boys basketball team's starting point guard position.

The freshman has impressed Gator Coach Janavor Weatherspoon with a basketball savvy and maturity beyond his years.

“I think Derek plays a lot of basketball,” Weatherspoon said. “He plays a lot of summer and (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball. He travels a lot and plays a lot of teams (from around the country), so I think he’s a lot more mature than his age.

“He’s a good ball handler. He’s always aggressive going one-on-one trying to get to the basket and kicking it out to the shooters.”

Weatherspoon said Peoples is the first freshman he’s ever started at point guard, but his age doesn’t matter when he steps on the floor.

“I knew he could play and he could help Baker a lot,” Weatherspoon  said. “I knew he was a competitor. I knew he was young and I didn’t know how he would do on varsity, but he’s done well.

We now catch up with Derek Peoples.

How old were you when you started playing basketball?

I was 7.

What's the best part of basketball?

All of it.

What's the worst part of basketball?

Losing.

What are your expectations this season?

To win district.

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

Football, because that’s my sport.

What is your favorite basketball experience?

Winning the AAU championship when I was 13 with the Hub City Royals.

What are your hobbies outside basketball?

Football.

What's your dream career?

I really don’t know. Professional football or basketball.

Do you want to play college basketball?

Yes. At Florida because I grew up a Florida fan.

What is your favorite movie?

“The Avengers.”

Who is your favorite singer?

Rich Homie.

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

Goku.

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

I would live 100 years from now to see how the world is.

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

NICEVILLE — Crestview High School’s boys basketball team has to find a way to stop the bleeding before Friday’s District 2-6A game at Choctawhatchee.

Judging from the way the Bulldogs have played the last two weeks that might be easier said than done.

Two weeks ago the Bulldogs sported a 10-1 record. Things started to fall apart in the Go Southern Beach Blowout starting a trend that has seen the Bulldogs lose five of their last six games to fall to 11-6 on the year.

Friday’s game at Okaloosa County rival Niceville was the latest in the line of missteps

The Eagles opened the game with back-to-back baskets by Kameron Parker and Jeffery Toney on the way to a coast-to-coast 66-49 win.

Niceville (11-7) won the old fashion way with solid defense and balanced scoring.

In something you won’t see every night, four Niceville players shared team scoring honors. Toney, Mitch Morken, Trey Diggs and Anthony Litscher each had 14 points.

Crestview’s Rusty Moorer was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points, but 14 of those points game in the fourth quarter after the Eagles had control of the game.

“We couldn’t hit any baskets,” Bulldog Coach George Stakley said. “In the second quarter, I looked in the (scorer’s) book and we had all free throws. You can’t win any games when you can’t hit baskets.

“And we have to keep our composure. We can’t let when bad things happen to keep making things worse for ourselves. We just have to use this game as a learning experience.”

Niceville led 13-11 at the end of the first quarter. Things would have been worse if Marquis McClain hadn’t scored for the Bulldogs with 14 seconds left in the quarter.

Niceville took control of the game in the second period outscoring the Bulldogs 16-8. All of Crestview’s points came on free throws. Litscher and Diggs paced the Eagles in the second quarter as Litscher scored seven points and Diggs six points.

The second half belonged to Niceville as a frustrated Crestview squad never found it’s groove. The Bulldogs were hit with three technical fouls in the second half. Two of the technical fouls were called on Andrew Adkins and led to his ejection from the game.

Morken took advantage of the extra free throws hitting 5-of-6 to push the Niceville lead to 18 points with 5:45 left in the game and end any hopes Crestview had of mounting a comeback.

Moorer was joined in double figures for Crestview by Adkins, who had 11 points and Purcell with 10 points.

NICEVILLE 66, CRESTVIEW 49

Crestview     11    8   10   20 – 49

Niceville       13  16   16   21 – 66

CRESTVIEW (49)

Marquis McClain 6, Rusty Moorer 20, Andrew Adkins 11, Marcus Purcell 10, Tyrese Seals 2. Totals 11 2 21-25 49.

NICEVILLE (66)

Kameron Parker 2, Mitch Morken 14, Kevin Robinson 3, Trey Diggs 14, Jeffery Toney 14, Anthony Litscher 14, Stacey Jones 3, Will West 2. Totals 15 6 18-30 66.

Crestview-Niceville boys basketball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Niceville adds to Crestview's woes (PHOTOS)

BAKER  — It was only a matter of time before Baker School’s boys basketball team took control of Thursday’s District 3-1A game with Freeport.

The Gators were the quicker, more athletic team, but that didn’t stop a pesky Bulldog squad from keeping things interesting for the first half.

Baker led by a point at the end of the first quarter and two points at the half before pulling away to a 56-44 win.

Gator Coach Janavor Weatherspoon a simple explanation as to why his team was able to put the game away in the second half.

“We decided to play,” he said. “Sometimes we are a better team coming out at the half for some reason. I think we have to change our habits about how we play coming out in the first half.

“I think they like to hear the coach give them the half-time speech. I told them, ‘I don’t have that many speeches.’”

Case Woodard kept the Bulldogs in striking distance in the first half scoring all of his team-high 18 points in the first two quarters.

Not to be outdone Baker’s Austin Walters scored 15 of his game-high 24 points in the first half.

Walters did have a little help from his friends, or at least one friend as Hunter Newton scored five of his nine points in the first half.

The Gators (10-7, 1-1) put the game out of reach with 14-0 run that started with a Newton free throw with 25 seconds left in the third quarter and ended with a Matt Samuolis basket with 4:07 remaining in the game.

The run was sparked by a Derek Peoples rebound basket as the buzzer sounded ending the third quarter. The score put Baker up 41-34 and seemed to break the will of the Bulldogs.

Weatherspoon said the Gators were better able to get into their full-court press in the second half and apply pressure to the Freeport shooters, which helped swing things in Baker’s favor.

BAKER 56, FREEPORT 44

Freeport   14   13    7    10 – 44

Baker        15   15  11    15 – 56

FREEPORT (44)

Zack Seay 3, Lane Free 2, Caleb King-Williams 2, Andrew Ham 2, Wesley Canaday 10, Case Woodard 18, Noah Cole 6, Ethan McFerrin  6, Jarrod Carley 1, Anthony Rucker 3. Totals 10 4 12-23 44.

BAKER (56)

Logan Rickmon 2, Derek Peoples 7, Gabe Nelson 3, Jamaal Day 2, Hunter Newton 9, Kalee Ciurleo 6, Austin Walters 24, Matt Samuolis 3. Totals 14 6 10-14 56.

Baker-Freeport boys basketball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker pulls away from Freeport (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — It’s a good thing for Crestview High School’s boys basketball team that there is still a lot of ball to be played.

From the looks of things in Tuesday’s District 2-6A game with rival Fort Walton Beach it seems the Bulldogs need regain their edge.

Led by William Jordan’s 24-point effort, the Vikings erased a 14-point deficit in the second quarter to beat the Bulldogs 62-60.

The loss was the third straight for Crestview (11-5, 1-1) and the fourth in the last five games.

“We didn’t play well in the second half,” Bulldog Coach George Stakley said. “The third quarter hurt us. We are trying to find answers because right now we are in a slump.

“We were rolling and all of the sudden since (losing to) Christian Brothers (in the Go Southern Beach Blowout) we have been going in the other direction. We have to get it together and figure this thing out.”

The Bulldogs looked like a two-time defending district championship team through most of the first half.

Crestview’s freshman sensation Marcus Purcell came out firing scoring all 15 Bulldog points in the first quarter as Crestview led 15-11 at the end of the period.

A 3-point basket by Capri Jones with 2:25 left in the second quarter gave the Bulldogs their biggest lead of the night at 28-14.

Marquis Jackson scored for the Vikings (5-9, 1-0) to start a 7-3 run to end the half and swing momentum in favor of Fort Walton Beach.

After scoring just three points in the first quarter Jordan got untracked scoring nine points – all on 3-pointers. Jordan ended up hitting seven 3s on the night.

Antonio Marshall scored with 4:03 left in the third quarter to give the Vikings their first lead since the score was 2-0 at the start of the game.

The teams traded scores down the stretch, but in the end the Vikings overcame the adversity for the win.

Purcell finished the game with 23 points for Crestview. Marquis McClain added 12 points and Rusty Moorer 10 points.

Jordan was joined in double figures for Fort Walton Beach by Jackson; 10 points and Trevor Cochran 16 points.

FORT WALTON BEACH 62, CRESTVIEW 60

Fort Walton Beach       11   11   19   21 – 62

Crestview                      15   16   14   15 – 60

FORT WALTON BEACH (62)  

Marquis Jackson 10, William Jordan 24, Trevor Cochran 16, Antonio Marshall 6, Aron Scott 6. Totals 14 8 10-13 62.

CRESTVIEW (60)

Marquis McClain 12, Rusty Moorer 10, Capri Jones 5, Andrew Adkins 4, Jalen Jones 2, Marcus Purcell 23, Chris Bryant 1. Totals 16 7 7-9 60.

Crsestview-Fort Walton Beach basketball box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Struggles continue for Crestview in loss to Fort Walton Beach (PHOTOS)