Boys basketball district tournaments tip off

It’s nitty-gritty time for boys basketball teams in the area and around the state.

District tournament play has arrived and starts in full force tonight, as seven teams from the area will tip off in hopes of advancing to Friday’s semifinals, where regional berths will be on the line.

The District 1-A tournament at Laurel Hill will feature a matchup between area rivals Laurel Hill and Rocky Bayou at 7:30 tonight. Paxton, meanwhile, gained the tourney’s top seed and will meet the Escambia Charter-Poplar Springs winner at 6 p.m. Friday.

“Any time you get to tournament time, everybody’s 0-0,” Paxton coach Jeff Bradley said. “ … I’m hoping our intensity level will pick up from where it’s been the last couple of weeks.”

Choctawhatchee starts tournament play at 7 tonight against District 1-4A host Gulf Breeze. Choctaw coach Marc Tisza said every team in the district is within five or six points of each other and that it’s likely going to be decided by defense, an area where the Indians have excelled of late.

“The past three games our defense has been swarming and we’ve had good help-side,” Tisza said. “The kids are playing with a lot of intensity, and that’s what you need at this time of year.”

Freeport is hosting the District 1-2A tournament and plays in a quarterfinal at 7:30 tonight against Northview. Baker gained the tourney’s No. 2 seed and has a bye into the semifinals, where it will face the Ponce de Leon-Jay winner at 6 p.m. Friday.

“We can’t look ahead to the finals or who we might play in the finals,” Baker coach Mike Martello said. “We’ve got to take care of business in the first round.”

Navarre takes on District 1-5A host Pine Forest at 7:30 tonight, while Walton meets Arnold at 5:30 p.m. today in the District 1-3A tournament at Marianna.

“We feel good,” Walton coach Jerry Hester said. “We’ve played a lot better since Christmas. We’ve got to where we’ve been making shots.”

In District 2-2A, South Walton faces Sneads at 7:30 tonight at Blountstown. The Seahawks have suffered some close losses lately, but South Walton coach John Davies said his squad has played solid basketball the last few weeks.

“The way we’re playing, it’s anybody’s shot,” Davies said. “You have to go in thinking that way.”

The District 2-5A tournament begins with semifinals action. Fort Walton Beach and Crestview square off at 5:30 p.m. Friday at host Niceville, while the Eagles meet Mosley at 7 p.m.

“The thing about 5A basketball is there’s great competition,” Niceville coach Jerome Strutchen said. “ … I’m excited about it. It creates a fantastic basketball atmosphere.”