Emerald Coast Spring 2017 Edition

Marissa Laurence Gulf Breeze High School

Emerald Coast’s Basketball Round-up

HELPING ATHLETES HELP THEMSELVES

STRIKING OUT

Brandon DuFour West Florida High School of Advanced Technology

INSTANT REPLAY Gil Hackel

Plus!

A STUDENT & AN ATHLETE June 2017 Free

Matthew Harshany Navarre High School

In The Game | 1

Get the

home team advantage Modern Woodmen of America – we’re on your financial team.

From protection to saving to retirement planning, we can help you create a personalized plan for life. Let’s talk.

W. Robin Christensen, FICF, LUTCF 1202 E. Mallory Pensacola, FL 32503 B 850-434-5670 w.robin.christensen@mwarep.org

HOMG0312 Registered representative. Securities offered through MWA Financial Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America.

Member: FINRA, SIPC.

In The Game | 3

We're Serious About Sports ��,�,l .• V�A

SOFFE • WILSON CHAMPRO • ASICS NIKE • EASTON • ADIDAS HOLLOWAY • The GAME NEW BALANCE • SCHUTT • DUDLEY • WORTH • BADGER DeMARINI • RAWLINGS • AUGUSTA • MAJESTIC • ALLESON UNDER ARMOUR • MIZUNO • RUSSELL • TPX & TPS EMBROIDERY & SCREEN PRINTING

PACE

4508 Sports Drive Pace, Florida 32571

850-994-3103

PENSACOLA

5800 N. "W" St., Suite 1 Pensacola, Florida 32505

850-494-2244 4 | itgsportsnetwork.com

MOBILE

3986 Government Blvd.

Mobile, Alabama 36693

251-660-1766

MONTGOMERY

1635 Eastern Blvd.

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

334-651-8440

FHSAA Shakes up the Football Playoff System

Niceville High School

Coach Tre S.L. Jones Christian Academy

In This Issue

Fall 2016

Jacob Hall / Mac Wilson / Brinker Shell

In The Game | 1

6 Dancing en Pointe Marissa Laurence

22 A Student & An Athlete Matthew Harshany Navarre High School

13 Instant Replay

26 2016-17 Subway

14 Striking Out

28 What I Wish I Had

Institute 17 Andrews 10 Anniversary

Coast’s 29 Emerald Basketball Round-up

All-Star Series Baseball and Softball

Gil Hackel

Brandon DuFour West Florida High School of Advanced Technology

th

Done Differently on My Signing Day

Athletes 18 Helping Help Themselves

From the Publisher

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS! email us at info@itgsportsnetwork.com to let us know what you thought of the October edition of ITG. EC-October 16.indd 1

11/4/16 9:24 AM

Contributors

Publisher Mark Dykes Editors Arnold Gamber Ed Spears Graphics Mandy Douthit Cover Photography Aaron Holck Feature Photography Aaron Holck Arnold Gamber Bay Design Photography Katherine Quarles Spiros Zachos Feature Writers Hannah Loesch Rebecca Stroud Arnold Gamber Ed Spears Taf Bentley Mike Price Sarah Turner Copy Editor Anna Limoges

Advertising/Marketing Arnold Gamber arnold@itgsportsnetwork.com Ed Spears edward@itgsportsnetwork.com Website Manager Cole Parker FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL: 888-715-4263 P & T Productions, LLC 3451 Bayou Blvd. Pensacola, Fl 32503

Readers, we apologize for the delay in this issue’s arrival. We have had to work through some issues, but we have gotten it together. We are reorganizing for a break-out set of issues beginning next September and look forward to presenting stories from our beautiful part of the panhandle we call the Emerald Coast!

Arnold & Ed

In the Game is published quarterly. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without consent from the publisher. P & T Productions, LLC makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct.

Copyright 2015 P & T Productions, LLC All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.

In The Game | 5

Written by: Hannah Loesch Photography by: Aaron Holck

6 | itgsportsnetwork.com

A flyer for Nutcracker auditions changed everything for Marissa Laurence. She and her mom saw it in a shoe store while shopping for a new pair of dance shoes and decided to try out. Laurence was only in third grade then and had been dancing for a few years already, but when she went to the North West Florida Ballet studio for auditions, she met Dorothy Lister and knew she’d found where she belonged. That year she made the audition and received the role of a little mouse and an angel in the performance. Laurence’s mom, Kim Laurence, said that nutcracker was “the start of the fever of wanting to perform and wanting to dance.”

Laurence did many other sports and activities aside from ballet, including soccer, softball, volleyball, band, and acting. She was that little girl who wanted to try everything.

All activities vied for attention. And commitment. But there came a point when Laurence had to choose between all the activities pulling at her time. Now Marissa is 17 and still dances with Lister. At one point North West Florida Ballet moved to Ft. Walton, and Laurence and her mom made the hour-plus drive for practices. In the end she decided to stay back in Pensacola, as Lister took over the studio.

In The Game | 7

Laurence typically dances three days a week and does various performances.

Laurence is also in band at Gulf Breeze High School, which is now in indoor competition season.

This year, she’s been asked to choreograph the solo dancing role for the visual ensemble. It will be her first competitive dance role.

8 | itgsportsnetwork.com

While Laurence agreed to choreograph a piece for the visual ensemble, she wouldn’t consider choreographing to be her forte. In fact one of the last times she tried choreographing, she broke her foot, which resulted in two to three months of time off.

To say that the down time was difficult for her would be a grave

understatement. Not only did she have to sit out from dance, she also had to sit out from band, which was just starting season competition.

During the long process of rehab and rechecks, Laurence found another way to use her determination: meeting Lister requirement of coming to class and taking notes even if

she couldn’t dance.

She waited out the unbearable months of rest for a full recovery because with hopes of a future in dance, she couldn’t put herself at risk for re-injury.

After her injury and recovery, Laurence threw herself back into dance just as vigorously as before. Now her injuries – none large enough to keep her from dancing – usually happen off stage.

“I have this huge blister on my toe right now,” Laurence said, laughing at herself. “And it looks like it’s from practicing en pointe for hours, but it’s actually from kicking a door.”

Similarly, her mom recounted Laurence tripping out of the car or over her own feet when she’s not on stage. When

Laurence is on stage, many people have told her that she embodies a special kind of grace and elegance during her ballet performances. She finds this interesting, since she doesn’t feel like she’s “dancing from the heart” the majority of the time. She doesn’t really even get nervous anymore.

“I’m more focused on my technique: tighten my core more, relax my calves,” Marissa said, explaining what she’s thinking while performing.

For Laurence, it’s all about the challenge. She strives for quick mental processing that will enable her to execute combinations as her instructor calls them out. She loves the way Lister pushes her. She said she couldn’t have a more discipline-oriented but loving, caring, and encouraging teacher.

Laurence considers herself a stubborn person, but the dance floor is the one place where she loves being told what to do. She doesn’t ever see herself becoming a dance teacher or having her own studio because she wants to be on stage. Dancing. Per-

forming. Performing is where she is comfortable.

Laurence spent four weeks this past summer in New York City dancing with the Joffrey Ballet Company. This was not her first dance camp away from home, but she said that she learned so much from the different perspectives of different teachers every single day. Laurence said she fell in love with the city and the studio, and there was a point when she told her mom she wasn’t coming home.

But there is a balance to be found in life, and while some ballet dancers drop out of high school to join a dance company, Laurence wasn’t quite ready to do that. She’s an above average student at Gulf Breeze High School and is even enrolled in some honors classes.

Perhaps Laurence’s tenacity in ballet translates to

In The Game | 9

3 Pointe Safety Tips for Beginners 1. Get professionally fitted.

Pointe shoes should always be purchased new and should never be worn second-hand. The structure of pointe shoes is designed to carefully support your feet.

2. Be cautious with your technique.

It can be tempting to try flashy steps while wearing your new pointe shoes, but take it easy. Attempting movements beyond your ability can land you with a cast on your leg.

3. Use a little rosin.

Some studios will offer rosin, a sticky, powdery substance made from tree resin. Rosin adheres to the soles of your pointe shoes, offering more traction and reducing the risk of slipping.

the rest of her life as well. Dance became a channel for her determination and perseverance.

“We don’t accept failure on the dance floor, so why would we accept it anywhere else?” Laurence said.

She believes she owes much of her character to Lister and to the sport of ballet itself.

So while dance is a way of life for Laurence, it is also a vehicle for etching out her greater character, not only as a dancer, but also as a student and an individual.

“We don’t accept failure on the dance floor, so why would we accept it anywhere else?”

Marissa said.

Information courtesy of www.balletforadults.com

In The Game | 11

12 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Instant Replay Written by: Arnold Gamber | Photography by: Katherine Quarles and Spiros Zachos

Gil Hackel, featured in our June 2016 ITG Emerald Coast magazine, was selected to compete this summer with Team USA. He is the youngest sailor to ever compete in trials.

ITG-EC wishes Gil and Team USA good luck this summer!

In The Game | 13

STRIKING Written by: Rebecca Stroud | Photography by: Arnold Gamber

Brandon DuFour started bowling when he was a kid and knew he loved the sport from early on. From days at the lanes with his dad, he moved into lessons and additional coaching and now bowls in a league. When he isn't in his element in the alley, he likes to be at home studying or watching TV. He played baseball, but doesn't currently do any sports other than bowling. He loves meeting so many people and making new friends, and his favorite kind of meet is a tournament.

On a typical tournament day, Brandon gets up and dons his bowling uniform: slacks, a polo-style jersey, and of course bowling shoes. Then he grabs one of his seven bowling balls (probably the 15-pound ball) and heads to the alley. Once at the alley, he registers and gets his lane assignment. He then has 10 minutes to practice before the weekend begins with eight game qualifiers to determine where each bowler starts. After the qualifiers, bowlers compete for the rest of the weekend. Brandon's best tournament score is a 279, but his best overall score was the day of our interview: 300.

A junior at West Florida High, he plans to continue his bowling career into college after he graduates in 2018. He hasn't made a decision yet, but has been looking into Wichita State, where he hopes to major in physical therapy.

14 | itgsportsnetwork.com

OUT

Tricia Bradley Hess, DMD Family Dentistry

6900-B North 9th Ave. Pensacola, FL, 32504 (850) 476-5540

In The Game | 15

JG

What is the game plan for your estate?

JEFF

GOODMAN ATTORNEY AT LAW 850.638.9722 office@jeffgoodmanlaw.com 946 Main Street Chipley, FL 32428

Offering cutting-edge concussion assessment, treatment, and management

The Concussion Center provides: • Early access and timely assessment • Individualized treatment plans, including on-site concussion rehabilitation • Return to school and return to work accommodations • Return to activity and sport progressions • Independent Medical Evaluations for individuals with legal claims • Community education programs for concussion awareness

Join the Conversation

850.877.8174 | tlhoc.com

f

Sports-Related Injuries • Recreational Injuries • Automobile Accidents • Pediatric Injuries • Work-Related Injuries

Andrews Institute 10th Anniversary

In The Game | 17

Helping Athletes Help Themselves Written by : Arnold Gamber | Photography submitted by: Dennis Roesle

In the Game recently sat down with Dennis Roesle, a local sports consultant who has been helping Emerald Coast athletes play collegiate athletics for the past 17 years. Roesle knows the ups and downs involved in the recruitment process. He said there are a lot of misconceptions about what it takes to attain an athletic scholarship.

So, to help de-mystify this subject, ITG picked Roesle’s brain, and we want to share with you, the athlete, the parent, or the curious mind.

Roesle considers several important factors when deciding whether to represent a potential client: selec-

18 | itgsportsnetwork.com

tivity, fit, sport, understanding, academics, and timing. Many athletes and parents do not understand what earning a scholarship involves or what responsibilities fall on collegiate athletes. So, let’s examine the areas of importance: Selectivity – Roesle does not sign up just any athlete; he screens them based on their academics, want, desire, and ability. Some national recruiting services will take anyone’s money. A key point to remember is that college is not for everyone.

Fit – A lot of people focus just on the scholarship, but it is also important to go to school

where you feel you can belong, thrive, and gather an education that allows student-athletes to succeed.

Sport – Roesle mainly works with women’s volleyball and softball.

But, student-athletes can participate in over 40 sports on the collegiate level.

Understanding – A big part of Roesle’s approach is educating athletes and the parents on rules, the game, levels of play, and the process of recruiting.

Academics – Less than 2 percent of collegiate athletes will play professional sports, so it’s important to keep in mind the reason for college: to gain an educa-

tion that leads to a better life. This begins in the athlete’s freshman year, not their senior year of high school.

Bottom line: If you cannot stay eligible, you cannot play.

Timing – Schools begin the recruiting process three to four years in advance. This means as early as one freshman year they are evaluating future prospects. An important factor to remember is that even though an individual has a certain school they are set on, that program might have already filled its needs.

Roesle feels what sets him apart from others is his personal touch. He limits the

number of clients so he can personally create their videos, go watch them in games and tournaments, and help them navigate the system. A former student-athlete at Missouri Western, Roesle shows clients that there our opportunities at every level. Having helped hundreds from the Emerald Coast chase their dreams and play college athletics, he receives a level of satisfaction from seeing these athletes pursue their dreams athletically and academically.

Joshua G. Hackel, M.D. Primary Care Sports Medicine

Roger V. Ostrander, M.D. Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

The primary care sports medicine physician specializes in the non-operative medical treatment of these injuries.

Specializing in the treatment of orthopaedic conditions and athletic injuries using minimally invasive techniques.

Team physician for the University of West Florida

ANDREWSINSTITUTE.COM

1040 Gulf Breeze Parkway Suite 200 Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 850.916.8700

Team orthopaedist for the University of West Florida

FAST BREAK

Bowling Tidbits Bowling dates back to ancient Egypt.

In 1840 the first indoor bowling alley opened in New York City.

The National Bowling Association formed in 1875.

Typical bowling bowls weigh 10-16 pounds. The maximum weight is 16 pounds.

Over 70 million people bowled at least once this past year.

Bowling is the No. 1 participation sport in America.

In the US, 141 schools sponsor bowling teams.

38th CHIP BOES CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL CAMP Directors: Chip & Cheri Boes 1605 Colwyn Drive Cantonment FL. 32533 850.968.9299 or 449.9958(text) chipboes@gmail.com www.chipboes.blogspot.com

Register Today!

A Student & an Athlete Written by: Taf Bentley Photography by: Bay Design Photography

Matthew Harshany isn’t your typical 17-year-old high school student. He is what Navarre basketball head coach Taf Bentley called “the embodiment of a student-athlete.”

Hershany is razor’s edge close to becoming valedictorian of his class. He currently ranks No. 2 of 509 students with a 4.83 GPA. He completed two years of chemistry, physics, and calculus in addition to a course load that has always consisted of AP and Honors courses. He also took two semesters of Chinese at the University of West Florida and scored a 33 on his ACT. He does all of this with a schedule that would make most people cry uncle. Hershany drives one hour each way to and from school. His day typically begins before 6 a.m., and during basketball season he will often not arrive at home until 10 p.m. He is up early to spend extra time in the gym or weight room or sometimes to tutor his fellow Navarre Raider students in math as a part of his commitment

22 | itgsportsnetwork.com

to the Navarre High National Honor Society. After school in the offseason, Hershany drives another hour to Pensacola to spend time in the gym working to further improve his game. Finally, after another 45 minutes on the road he returns home to begin doing homework that is a big part of the AP and honors courses.

Hershany is also trying to make history at Navarre High School. Bentley quietly turned around a basketball program at Navarre over the past four seasons. Hershany’s top priority for the upcoming basketball season is to bring a district championship home to Navarre and help his team and coach reach Lakeland, Florida, where the state championship playoffs take place. This past season they were

within a few plays of a district title and qualified for the playoffs for only the third time in the school’s history.

Hershany led them into the playoffs as a district runner-up and to an appearance at state powerhouse Lincoln High School. Hershany scored 20 points, grabbed six rebounds,

his opponents, seeing a variety of defensive game plans geared to stop him, yet he led his team in scoring, defensive rebounding, assists, steals, free throw percentage, and charges taken.

Bentley emphasized that numbers alone cannot capture Hershany’s contributions to the team and role in the success they enjoyed.

“It’s like having another coach on the floor,” Bentley said.

Hershany possesses the traits you want in a point guard: toughness, intelligence, court vision, tremendous ball handling skills. But what sets him apart is that he is a rare combination guard who can score from anywhere on the floor. He has elite shooting ability from well beyond the 3-point line. He made

Body Injuries in Basketball 8.8% 11.2%

GIRLS

16.6% 13.0%

“It’s like having another coach on the floor,” Bentley said. handed out four assists, and had three steals in a tightly contested game versus the Florida class 8A 2017 state runner-up, despite being the focus of the Lincoln High defensive game plan. This past season he became accustomed to receiving plenty of attention from

36.0% 12.2%

11.5%

BOYS

14.7% 10.3% 38.3% This information is courtesy of momsteam.com

'

,.

'

.

.

•

.•.

-

PREPARING HIGH SCHOOL STUDEN'T�1.HLET.�S :.FOR THE COLLEG!=lLEVEL . ·. .... _ .

-· �-� . ' .... �. 16 YEARS' EXPERI.ENCE .

Dennis Roesle College Recruiting Consultant (850) 723-2936

dlrc:,esle@ac:,l.,;c:,1n

.•

. -. � -. .,. .

IF .J -�

.

..

,.

....

�

. . .

• * ,.._ .'6; -�· .

'-�� .• ;,PRO.FESS I1 0NAL SPO .,l� ._ �I RECRUITING VIP ' _'!' . ,

74 three-pointers last season while seeing box-and-one defenses or double-teams for the majority of the season.

His scoring ability is so prolific that at 6’0” Hershany would play in the post during the course of the season for Bentley. Hershany is one of the best guards on the gulf coast and is deservedly garnering attention at the next level from several colleges including schools in the Ivy League and U.S. service academies.

Hershany’s long term goals include service to the nation and going to medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon. These aspirations burn deep inside of Hershany and are the reason he embraces the arduous

24 | itgsportsnetwork.com

schedule he maintains.

Hershany contends one of the greatest gifts his parents gave him was high expectations. He also believes his older brother, Nathan, who attends school and plays basketball at the United States Coast Guard Academy, significant influenced Hershany by setting a high bar for him. With his continued hard work and the support system of family, educators, and coaches, his future in basketball and beyond is bright.

Hershany wants to remind people in his community, along the gulf coast, and across the nation that he’s a student and an athlete.

NBA All-Time Leading Scorers Name Pts 1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387 2. Karl Malone 36,928 3. Kobe Bryant

33,643 4. Michael Jordan 32,292 5. Wilt Chamberlain 31,419 6. Dirk Nowitzki* 29,738 7. Shaquille O’Neal 28,596 8. LeBron James* 27,832 9. Moses Malone 27,409 10. Elvin Hayes 27,313 *Active player

CHECK US OUT ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

512 N. Shady Lane, Dothan, AL 36303 334-699-5747 / www.hughston.com Hours: Mon - Fri : 8am-5pm

EXPERIENCING PERSONAL CARE WITH HUGHSTON IN

DOTHAN

Champ L. Baker III, MD

BENEFITTING YOU WITH REHABILITATION SERVICES ONSITE

Fred Flandry, MD, FACS

David C. Rehak, MD

Arthroscopic Surgery, Cartilage Restoration & Sports Medicine

Trauma, Total Joint Replacement, Sports Medicine & General Orthopaedics

Hand, Elbow & Upper Extremity

Thomas N. Bernard, Jr., MD

Ryan M. Geringer, DO

General Orthopaedics, Hip & Knee Reconstruction

Orthopaedic Spine Surgery

Jared A. Brummel, DO

Sports Medicine & General Orthopaedics

J. Kenneth Burkus, MD Orthopaedic Spine Surgery

Sports Medicine & General Orthopaedics

Garland K. Gudger, MD

Total Knee Replacement, Hand, Sports Medicine & General Orthopaedics

David H. MacDonald, DO, FAOAO

John D. Dorchak, MD

Hand & Upper Extremity, Arthroscopic Surgery

Patrick J. Fernicola, MD

Spine Surgery, Hip & Knee Replacement

Orthopaedic Spine Surgery

Shoulder, Knee, Hip, Total Joint Replacement & Sports Medicine

James E. McGrory, MD

Randall J. Ruark, MD

Randall J. Ruark, MD

General Orthopaedics, Hip & Knee Reconstruction

John I. Waldrop, MD

Hip, Knee, Total Joint Replacement & Arthroscopic Surgery

Collier Watson, DO

General Orthopaedics, Foot & Ankle

Douglas W. Pahl, MD

Orthopaedic Spine Surgery In The Game | 25

2016-17

Subway All-Star Series Baseball and Softball Written by: Mike Price | Photography submitted by: Mike Price

Baseball and softball make up the final installment of the 201617 Subway High School All-Star Series. These games are an East vs.

West match-up, as the top seniors from Escambia County (West) face their counterparts of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties (East).

During the season the area head coaches send in nominations for their top seniors. Once nominations are in, the head coaches get together and form the teams. Each roster is made up of 23 seniors for softball and 25 seniors for baseball, and each school is guaranteed at least ont roster

26 | itgsportsnetwork.com

spot on the team. The goal of the game is to showcase each player, so everyone is guaranteed playing time.

This game is designed to celebrate these young men and women and their achievements on and off the field. Some use it as a final chance to play in front of family and friends, and some use the opportunity to put on one last show in front of the college scouts.

Pensacola Sports invites over 600 college baseball and softball scouts from across the southeast to come check out our talent-rich area. In the 2016 games, we had

over 40 players that continued their baseball and softball careers at the next level.

It is also an exciting event for the head coaches who lead these teams.

“I think this is a great event,” said Jon Boddy, head coach of Navarre High School and head coach for the East baseball team. “It rewards these seniors and gives them an opportunity to play against some great competition. I’m honored that I get to coach these guys, and I am really looking forward to it” says Jon Boddy, Head coach of Navarre High School, and the Head coach for the East

Baseball Team.

Pensacola Sports is proud to provide these seniors of Northwest Florida with this opportunity, and we hope that it can push a couple of them to next level and continue their baseball and softball careers, all while obtaining a higher education. The 2017

games will take place on Thursday, June 8 at the University of West Florida Baseball and Softball complexes. If you have any questions about the game you can visit www.subwaypsaallstars.com or call Pensacola Sports at 850-434-2800.

2016-17 Subway All-Star Series Recap Volleyball: The East continued their dominance of this event, sweeping the West 3 games to 0 for the second consecutive year. Kierra Potts of Crestview was the East MVP, and Marlis Herrick of Washington High School was the West MVP. Football: For the first time in the 12-year existence of the Subway All-Star football game, the game took place at beautiful Blue Wahoo’s Stadium, and the game was as exciting as the atmosphere. The East won an overtime thriller 10-7, claiming their first victory in over five years. Jordan Tinder and Braijon Carr, both of Niceville, claimed East MVPs. Martin McGhee of Escambia and Robert Reeves of Pensacola took home MVPs for the West.

Soccer: The East girls continued their dominance, winning for the fifth consecutive year.

They defeated the West

4-1, with Sara Machado of FWB winning East MVP and Brookelyn Cramer of Catholic winning it for the West. The boys put on a show: the game was tied 1-1 for almost the entire game, but the East scored a late goal to win it 2-1.

Mario Cruz of Navarre scored the go ahead goal and secured the East MVP, and Tanner Kukes of Catholic was awarded the West MVP Basketball: The 2017 Basketball games lived up to the tradition of being one of the most exciting games of the series. The East girls won a hard fought game 71-69. Gabby Brown of Choctaw took home East MVP honors, while Chloe Radford won it for the West. The boys game did not disappoint either, with the West boys winning 8780 was their third win in a row. Kameron Parker of Niceville was the East MVP, and David Reynolds of Washington secured it for the West.

In The Game | 27

What I Wish I Had Done Differently on My Signing Day Written by: Sarah Turner

I had been interested in running cross country at Valdosta State University for quite some time, and I was absolutely thrilled when I finally received an official scholarship offer in 2010. Not many student-athletes at my high school received an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level, so for me, my teammates, parents, and coaches, it was a huge deal.

However, when my signing day rolled around, I can’t say the day felt so special. My parents and I went into school early. We gathered around a conference room table with my principal and high school coaches. (My future college coach was unable to attend due to distance.) I signed a document, took a picture, and then went to class as usual. The feelings I had and other details are no longer even a memory for me, and they should have been.

Nonetheless, I had a great, memorable college running career; however, my advice to current high

-G Travel

rass

Boys roots -

school athletes nearing their signing day is to find ways to make it as special as it truly is.

Here are a few ideas:

- Even if you are signing in the morning, be sure to arrange a celebration dinner with your parents, coaches, and anyone else who is an important factor in your success as an athlete.

- Take it to social media! Once you take your official signing picture, post it to your favorite social media account. I’m personally a modest person, but signing to a college is a huge deal. There’s no shame in bragging here and there.

- Put together hand written thank you notes to anyone who helped you along the way. Your gratitude will make their day, and their reactions will remind you of how thankful you are for them.

- Understand the importance of what you’re doing. You may simply sign your name on a line, but it’s a reflection of four years’ worth of long days, hard workouts, and other challenges overcome that got you to this point in your athletic career.

- Beach

EMERALD COAST’S BASKETBALL ROUND-UP Written by: Edward Spears

Basketball is alive and well along the Emerald Coats. Both boys and girls teams from around the area excelled in 2016-17.

BOYS HOOPS:

Starting in District 1-8A, Niceville and Navarre were the cream of the crop. Niceville went 18-6 in the regular season and a perfect 6-0 in district play. Trey Diggs, the 6”4’ senior team captain, led Niceville with 16.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Navarre was led by junior Matt Harshany, who averaged 16.9 points and 2.8 assists per game. The two teams met on Feb. 2 at Navarre for the district title, with Niceville taking the title. Both teams advanced to the regionals, where they were both eliminated by state runner-up Tallahassee Lincoln.

District 1-7A saw traditional powerhouses Pensacola High and B.T. Washington High lead the pack. PHS was a stellar 22-3 with Washington only one game behind at 21-4. In district, PHS was a perfect 10-0 and Washington 8-2. Washington was led by 6”5’ junior Michael Randolph (13.8 points per game, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.5 steals) and 6”3’ senior David Reynolds (13.4 points per game and 7.3 rebounds). PHS downed host school Pine Forest in the district semi-finals, while WHS topped Pace. The Pensacola Tigers took the district crown, yet again.

The District 2-7A title showdown saw 24-1 Choctawhatchee versus 20-5 Crestview. Choctaw was a perfect 4-0 in district play, while Crestview went 2-2. The Choctaw Indians were led by 6”6’ sophomore Diante Smith (14.5 points per game, 3.5 steals), while the Crestview Bulldogs followed senior point guard Rusty Moorer (19.8 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists) to the district crown.

The 7A regional saw these four teams back in action. Choctaw took out PHS in the first round, while Crestview handled Washington. The anticipated re-

Women Fitness Top 10 Best Female Basketball Players of 2016 1. DIANA TAURASI

match saw a different outcome, with the Indians advancing 59-53.

Choctaw made it all the way to the regional finals before bowing out.

District 1-6A pitted the Rutherford Rams against crosstown rivals the Mosley Dolphins. The Rams were a perfect 7-0 in district play on their way to a 21-4 regular season record. The Dolphins went 18-9 during the season and 3-3 in district. Rutherford took the district title. Both teams advanced to the Regional, where both were eliminated in the first round.

District 1-5A will see the Catholic Crusaders match up with the surprising West Florida Jags.

The Crusaders were expected to make it to the title game after a 21-6 regular season that saw them go a perfect 6-0 in district play. West Florida, not so much.

A 6-20 season mark and 2-3 in district clearly placed Cinderella’s slipper on the foot of the Jaguars.

Did it fit? Unfortunately, like Cinderella’s step sisters, it did not.

The Jags lost the district to Catholic and then were eliminated in the first round of the regionals.

Catholic made it all the way to the regional semi-finals before losing to Marianna.

District 3-1A will see two evenly matched Emerald Coast teams vie for the title. Baker led the way with a 15-5 regular season but was edged by Chipley (15-11, 5-1) by one game in the district. The two met again for the district title, with Chipley prevailing. Both schools advanced to the regional, with both being eliminated by West Gadsden.

GIRLS HOOPS:

District 1-8A was led by 19-8 Niceville. The Eagles flew all the way to state regional semifinals before falling to Tallahassee Lincoln. Niceville was led by Grace Annichiarico, Ashley Lane, and Jasmine Griggs. Gulf Breeze surprised the district and advanced to the regionals to also be eliminated by Lincoln.

In District 1-7A, Pensaco-

la High and Washington High continued their winning ways, posting a 12-3 and 13-9 record respectively. The WHS Wildcats were led by Janille Jones and Julia Roberts. The Tigers’ Melainna White led the way. Both teams advanced to the regional tournament, where their seasons abruptly ended with their neighbors to the east.

District 2-7A was the powerhouse of the Panhandle this season, with district champs Fort Walton Beach Lady Vikings going 22-3 and ending the season for Washington.

Choctawhatchee went 18-4 and ended PHS’s season. Choctaw was led by Amber Leggett. The Lady Vikings are led

by Alyssa McCloud, Julia Turner, and the best name going, Peanut Payton. The two teams are familiar with each other and will face off again in the regional semifinal.

This season, FWB holds a 2-1 advantage over Choctaw, including a win for the district title. But the last four games are 2-2. For one, the dream will continue. For one, next year awaits. Choctaw will be back, but this was the year of the Lady Vikings, advancing all the way to the state championship game. They came up a bit short against state champ Ft. Myers, but it truly was a dream season.

District 1-6A saw Mosley emerge with a 13-9 season and 6-1 district campaign. Joining them in the regionals was Bay (10-7, 5-2). Bay’s season ended in the quarterfinals of the region, Mosley’s in the semis.

District 1-5A was led by Walton (7-3, 2-0) and West Florida (68, 2-0). Both teams were eliminated in regional quarterfinal action.

District 3-1A saw Baker and South Walton make the regional tournament. Both schools advanced to the regional semifinals, but that would be the end of Baker’s road. South Walton continued all the way to the state title game, where they lost to Wildwood.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE REGION’S BOY AND GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS FOR AN AMAZING SEASON. WE AT IN THE GAME EMERALD COAST CAN’T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR!

www.kuow.org

2. MAYA MOORE

www.espn.com

3. CANDACE PARKER

ftw.usatoday.com/

4. ELENA DELLE DONNE

5. TAMIKA CATCHINGS

6. LINDSAY WHALEN 7.SUE BIRD 8. BRITTNEY GRINER 9. ANGEL MCCOUGHTRY 10. SEIMONE AUGUSTUS

In The Game | 29

Magazine

NEWSLETTER

SOCIAL MEDIA

Visit our website to Stay In the Game! www.inthegamesportsnetwork.com 30 | itgsportsnetwork.com

850.435.4800 www.nilssenorthopedics.com 825 E. Burgess Rd. Pensacola, FL 32504

To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches.

Mike Killam

Regional Director of Development Area Director mkillam@fca.org

Michelle Carmical Area Director mcarmical@fca.org

Sean Aland Area Director saland@fca.org

Brands Next Level American Apparel Bella Ultra Club Comfort Colors Augusta Sportswear Teamwork Athletics Badger Gildan

We’ve Got You Covered From Head To Toe Custom Graphics Screenprint Embroidery T-Shirts Polos Team Uniforms Promotional Items

32 | itgsportsnetwork.com

2814-B Copter Rd. Pensacola, Florida 32514 850.505.0955 email: david@curringraphics.com www.curringraphics.com