Terrapin

Yea, I think Osceola as well. Oviedo has always beat us in regional finals, but I think this squad has what it takes since the PG has improved and we have more shooters than before.

Not sure about the rules on double posting, but this game was really good and I wish I could find full footage. This was the year Lincoln beat Armwood, and Armwood was undefeated... so you know everyone had their chips on Armwood.

Niceville 2013 season. The kids back in 2009 on Niceville were good too going to state. Dwyer just seems to be the better school always beating them. Class 1A I would say Baker, they are going to states sooner than later with how coach Brunson is running. They just need to stop Port St Joe.

Thanks man! Freshman D put up 27 points and was called on since our star PG had to bench due to getting two fouls within the first minutes of the second half!! I'm really excited to see the district games, I'd go to tonights game against Walton, but I'm saving cash right now lol

Talent, and more prepared... coach Hicks has been at it for 30+ years with the Niceville program. Niceville actually is right next to the air force base here, and some of my teachers always believedNiceville recruited the best kids in the county under the radar. Most of the time though, when a kid moves here he has the choice of several different high schools. If football is your game, you will congregate to Niceville. One of my friend's friends did his freshman year here at Crestview and then transferred to Niceville to play basketball because he thought it would be a better opportunity since when I was a sophomore and freshman, we had a not so good coach ever who didn't care about the game (I don't mean to be mean, the guy was an awesome science teacher, and I felt like he was just thrown into basketball because no one else was qualified enough to coach). Same thing happened to another kid, the last coach didn't help the program much and that kid went to Choctaw to get a better opportunity. But, it was not technically 29 years I should mention. The teams got reclassed into different classes and districts, last time we played them was in the 80s, and throughout we may have played them once or twice and lost. But 2007 was when it changed and we started playing Niceville on a consistent basis, the only time we came close to winning was 2010 when Niceville got by with a single point. Like any rivalry there have been the things kids do to show their support. When I was at Crestview, Niceville actually stained the field with a certain material that killed the grass and they shaped it like a certain organ lol. The other thing that happened was a social media rumor that everyone at Crestview high likes to do things to a goat. And there have been rap songs that tried to dis us. Back in the 80s, my english teacher said we went to Niceville, picked up their eagle from outside the school and threw it in the closest river. While Niceville did the same thing with our bulldog. Overall, that was a special moment to witness Niceville losing for the first time in 30 or so years. Although, they went to state and lost to Dwyer that year.

Ohh Blanche Ely? I wanna go to that game to see how they're stacking. Should be a good game! And dang 4-0 in district? Crestview hasn't played one opponent lol, but we only have 2 other teams in the district.

NAVARRE 51 - CRESTVIEW 59 Navarre Raiders came to town, and I checked out the game. I saw there was a 6' 1" player, but I found out he was a freshman which made me think "WOW" in my head, he has potential to grow and become a deadly player, much like Oviedo's 6' 8" player. (I think he is a senior now). First half ended Navarre 24-20, but Crestview came back and showed the Raiders what the Bulldogs are about. Not sure about the passing game and some of the stuff the Bulldogs did, but being coach Stakley's first year as head coach, he is leading the program by charge and I think was the right coach to hire, but he is really going to be tested when playoffs come especially against Lincoln, Niceville, and Oviedo. The seniors and juniors are showing what they're about, but the freshman is also keeping up! Crestview came back and stopped Navarre 51-59. A good victory overall and Navarre is a tough opponent despite their mediocre record. Revenge is served! I don't know box score for this game, but I saw on box for last night's game against Bay. The freshman D put up 15 pts! with 5 free throws and 5 shots!

A little context, Niceville has always beaten us (Crestview) every year. Every time the boys got on the bus or the Eagles came to us, Crestview gets smashed no matter what happens. This game was amazing because for the first time in 30 YEARS, we beat Niceville. If you seen my other posts, you know Niceville is an amazing program, and that year they went to State championship in which they lost to Dwyer. The only loss on their main season record was from a rival team that hasn't beaten them in 30 years. You can type CHS Bulldogs vs Niceville to see all 4 quarters, Very awesome, everyone including alumni and coaches were excited because it was a special moment to be apart of and see. That Lakeland vs STA 06' game... wow just craziness.

Fort Walton Beach High School, Dec. 18th @ 7 P.M.

There's the all star West vs East game here in the Northwest. DEC. 18

You could maybe add another board entirely just for Basketball, but then that brings the question if you should add baseball, soccer, girls sports etc.

7A - I'm with you on that one. Viera has played against big and top schools, they'll be ready for anything STA throws at them. Picking the upset by one possession, Viera 14-7. 6A - Miami of course. Armwood is pretty good still, but they can't seem to ever beat Central. Not expecting a close game, but I think Central is going to light up in the first half and maintain their lead. Central 45-21. I haven't seen much game footage of Armwood so I can't comment on their style of play, but they did lose 5 star prospect Byron Cowart and a few other good kids.

Is Dillard boys 7A? Also will do man! Right now Choctaw is 4-1 and Crestview is 4-1. Lincoln 4-0. Gonna catch the next home games for Crestview to and maybe Choctaw to get an idea about how they run the ball this year compared to last year. Since last year had great shooters and the PG has a good IQ. although, there were certain looks in passing that were questionable. The former coach was banging his head against the clipboard even lol. Crestview still will be on board.

Completely agree with you, Dillard. My alumni, Crestview High School is having a problem with coaching. The current coach is 15-17 (if I remember right) and might get gutted if he can't turn the program around. The last coach had a negative record as well despite having the right intentions... however, my middle school alumni has won two back to back county championships going against schools that feed into Niceville (a better program than us that makes it to regional finals back to back). There's variables that go into if a kid hits a growth spurt between freshman and senior year, but I think there is talent, just not a stable coaching foundation and it may just end up tossing around until the admins find some level of success at Crestview. We are now considered a basketball school since football has dropped down. Northwest Florida has some success, 1A Baker turned around... I think they can get the hump though and make it to the state championship. I think also talent goes to baker from our middle schools especially now since Baker is winning while Crestview is slumping. It's only a 15 minute drive if you live in Crestview. Niceville and Choctawhatchee are the successful schools, one reason is they are in nicer communities than where I went to school. And Niceville is a hop, skip, and a jump away from the airforce base which a lot of good kids come in and out so talent comes to Niceville, and Choctaw's coach has turned the program into something greater since 2009. (Which goes back to your first point, about the top... he is serious and it shows with how Choctaw turned around). Although, to add to that, Niceville's coach has been in the game 32 years... so he has seen it all and knows what to do with his experience. (There was a recent controversy last season before the 2014 football season, when 4 kids from Fort Walton went through loopholes in the transfer system and played for Niceville because they are the successful program.... kids want to win so they go to a school that shows their talents and can land them that ride to college). I can't really speak on those loopholes though, I don't know enough. Niceville sends a lot of athletes to the upper level. We only sent 1 kid to D1 ball and that was Denzil Ware who is a redshirt freshman now on Kentucky. For some kids, sports is all they have though and that's what they invest in to get them into college. Yea, Armwood and Central ran into those problems years ago. They started ineligible players and had to forgo their state titles or playoff runs. I wouldn't be surprised if Niceville recruits kids, they didn't do that though in the controversy i spoke of, parents and kids see they are the winning school here in northwest florida so they are willing to drive 30+ minutes from my hometown if that means the kid may land a scholarship and play college ball. Since tuition for college is high, the recent trend here in the county is to focus on one sport, whether it's the big 3, or another one in hopes to get a scholarship for that sport to play at the next level. I don't really have a problem with that though, except the transfer loopholes are loose so anyone can jump to the next school to play ball which is allegedly one reason Fort Walton Beaches former coach quit. So, Navarre and Niceville are really the only schools to play football for. Choctaw while I speak highly of them, they end up losing to Navarre or Niceville anyways since Niceville dropped from 7A to 6A. Into Pensacola, Tate surprised us going into the playoffs, I don't know much about the Pensacola schools besides Catholic beating us out sometimes. Lincoln is a decent school, there record this year wasn't good, but they are force to be reckon with. They went to state one year when Armwood was playing ineligible players I think in 2010? Not sure what happened though, maybe the talent wasn't there or went somewhere else this season?

Dang, that's really good for no seniors in 2015. Bartow most definitely, I'm not sure how they will fair, but they reload and make it to the playoffs.

Northwest Florida BOYS BASKETBALL! Who to watch out for in 7A panhandle? CRESTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL - Crestview High School has turned the program around. The former coach before the last one left... was... well I can't put bad words here. But the program wasn't going anywhere. Soon enough though, a new coach was hired and lead the bulldogs to two consecutive regional runner up titles. This hasn't been done since 1985 (29 years!), and that Crestview team had future NBA player Tom Hammonds. So Crestview has reloaded this year, expect to see the bulldogs in the playoffs! Last year losses included a pretty good center, and our only real 3 PT shooter. But one of the bulldogs this year is a really good shooter so it makes up for it. I think a few other kids are good from the arc, recent schemes usually get the ball into open areas. Last year's team didn't have good looks passing and getting opportunities. (Partly because Oviedo had a 6' 8" player that decimated our offense) But, I have confidence Coach Stakley is leading the boys well. LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL - Lincoln High School is a really good program. While Crestview has beat them twice in the last two years in the playoffs. They are no easy opponent to beat, I expect a really close game into the playoffs around regional semifinals. I don't know about the program, just know in recent years they turned it around and are always a playoff contender. They are undefeated right now, although it's early in the season, but it's a good sign to see what comes playoff time. Lincoln is what is stopping Crestview from getting into regional finals. CHOCTAWHATCHEE HIGH SCHOOL - I see they are 4-1 overall. Not sure what schemes they run or how they play the ball. But, a few of the football players also ball out so it'll be interesting to see what they. Gonna go to the district match this month when Choctaw comes to Crestview! Well, this has been my book report. Overall, there isn't much talent in NWFL. Fort Walton is struggling still, and Niceville has lost a few key players even though the coach is great. I had to even put a Tallahassee school in here, and I don't really follow Leon county schools.

Interesting, I see on Maxpreps you guys are 5 overall in 6A. You think you should be higher? Choctaw girls being 4 below. Choctaw has reloaded this year and I think can make it to a state championship, the only loss so far going to McGill-Toolen which is in Mobile and that was by one point. However, Edgewater or Norland always seem to make it to state almost every year. Pensacola is number 1 in 6A which isn't surprising, they are a consistent program. I'm not sure how they play ball as I haven't been to one of their games. They themselves make a playoff run most years. Girls basketball has always been the better sport here in the panhandle, but boys is catching up. Class 1A, Freeport took the title home. I'm not sure if they are reloaded, they lost their star point guard, but her sister is still on the team and she is just as deadly. Back to 6A, my alumni Crestview hasn't really been doing good. The coach is pretty good, we just haven't had explosive talent come in since 2014 playoffs when we made it to regionals. Fort Walton Beach, well they are a roller coaster. Sometimes they make it in the playoffs, other times they don't.

Yea, basketball would be cool to talk about. I follow the county through the big 3, (Football, Basketball, and Baseball).

Port St Joe. by one possession, 14-7.

Viera has played Cocoa and some big teams like Allen Texas which is one reason they beat out lakeland tonight. Congrats though, I'm gonna bet on Columbia for this one 33-32, or something really close.

It's been a great year folks, Northwest Florida specifically Okaloosa County has ended the playoff run. Niceville loses to Tate, 21-20. Very close game, nothing connected for Niceville early... until the second half of the game. Unfortunately, the clock ticked down and Niceville couldn't finish the last drive they were on which would have actually been the game winner. It's an upset though, most of us in the area and the newspaper had picked Niceville to win, but Tate showed up and proved us wrong. The Aggies are now off to Armwood high... best of of luck to Tate. Niceville had beat out Tate 4 times in the last 3 years, and went into 3 final 4 playoff appearances so it's easy to see the picks. Port St Joe slays Baker, 42-13. I give Coach Brunson a knock on the back, he has turned the program around and it shows. Baker just didn't have the size that Port had, but the Gators got over Vernon who also had a size advantage. Baker's yards were close to Port St Joe, but the gators could not finish their drives which is why the score is what it is. Well, Okaloosa is out. The remaining teams from Northwest Florida are Tate and Port St Joe.

1A Port St Joe vs Trenton 6A Niceville vs Central. 7A I got St Thomas vs Columbia. Don't know much about other brackets.

Okaloosa County! This year Choctaw or Niceville are looking hot, one of them can make it to final 4, but past that we'll have to see. Choctaw did very good against Armwood last year, if the indians would have converted one of the fumbles that would have been game. Niceville on the other hand got beat down by Osceola, but all of the juniors last year were seniors so it was bigger team than what Niceville could handle. But my sig means I'm a bulldog, and anytime we beat Niceville or Choctaw or Ft walton, I'll be really hyped!

District 1 - Lincoln most definitely, I don't know how Leon or Chiles is going to fair.

Tommy Johnson got hired at Fort Walton Beach, curious to see what he does with the program