FORT WALTON BEACH – Each delivering a team-best 28 points, Choctaw's Bryan Baker and Mosley's Nat Dixon put on a classic scoring battle in Saturday night’s District 2-6A tilt.
From an 11-point first quarter that ended with a rim-shattering dunk to his 10 rebounds and four blocks, the 6-foot-5 Baker lived up to the senior leader moniker.
“Bryan Baker, he’s a class act,” Choctaw coach Andy Thigpen said. “He’s going to do what we ask of him offensively and defensively.”
But with every take, every 3-pointer, every free throw, the 6-4 Dixon seemed to have an answer, delivering five of his 10 rebounds on the offensive end and scoring 17 points in the second half.
But in the end, only one could walk away with the most important stat of them all: A win.
Advantage Baker.
The senior scored 10 of his 28 in the final frame, Dylan Williams added 13 points to accent a team-high 14 boards and five blocks, and the Indians held on for a down-to-the-wire 64-55 victory on their home court.
“It’s a big win for us. Any district win is a big one and it’s good momentum for a big week coming up,” said Thigpen, whose team travels to Pensacola Catholic on Tuesday followed by a district showdown at rival Fort Walton Beach on Thursday.
Michael Hawkins added eight points and Chase Whitehead chipped in seven points – including a clutch reverse layup with a minute to play – for the Indians, who improved to 11-7 and 3-1 in district play.
But unlike their 90-69 road win over Mosley earlier in the year, nothing was easy about this win despite a dominant first three quarters.
Taking advantage of Choctaw’s main ball handler, Hawkins, being on the bench after collecting a technical foul late in the third, the Dolphins came back from a 46-34 advantage and mounted a 19-5 run to seize control. A Dixon layup and 3-pointer from the top of the key gave the Dolphins a 53-51 lead with 3:36 left to play, but Choctaw would have an answer.
After a Baker free throw, Williams delivered the go-ahead shot from the free throw line, Baker scored on a putback and the Indians never looked back. Dixon answered with a drive to the hoop, but Whitehead responded with a reverse layup and Baker followed with a 2-for-2 trip to the line on consecutive trips to seal the win.
“He carried us offensively and defensively,” Thigpen said of Baker.
Shooting a blistering 8 of 10 from the floor and getting 11 points from Baker, the Indians led 19-12 after the first quarter.
Seizing the momentum, the Indians then let Williams put the team on his back.
The 6-5 center delivered eight points, blocked three shots and grabbed four boards in the frame, giving the Indians a 32-21 halftime lead.
“He’s starting to step up and he’s filling his role,” Thigpen said.
That advantage ballooned to as many as 16 before headed into the fourth with a 46-34 advantage.
Baker, Williams lead Choctaw to district win over Mosley
Published: Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 23:05 PM.
FORT WALTON BEACH – Each delivering a team-best 28 points, Choctaw's Bryan Baker and Mosley's Nat Dixon put on a classic scoring battle in Saturday night’s District 2-6A tilt.
From an 11-point first quarter that ended with a rim-shattering dunk to his 10 rebounds and four blocks, the 6-foot-5 Baker lived up to the senior leader moniker.
“Bryan Baker, he’s a class act,” Choctaw coach Andy Thigpen said. “He’s going to do what we ask of him offensively and defensively.”
But with every take, every 3-pointer, every free throw, the 6-4 Dixon seemed to have an answer, delivering five of his 10 rebounds on the offensive end and scoring 17 points in the second half.
But in the end, only one could walk away with the most important stat of them all: A win.
Advantage Baker.
The senior scored 10 of his 28 in the final frame, Dylan Williams added 13 points to accent a team-high 14 boards and five blocks, and the Indians held on for a down-to-the-wire 64-55 victory on their home court.
“It’s a big win for us. Any district win is a big one and it’s good momentum for a big week coming up,” said Thigpen, whose team travels to Pensacola Catholic on Tuesday followed by a district showdown at rival Fort Walton Beach on Thursday.
Michael Hawkins added eight points and Chase Whitehead chipped in seven points – including a clutch reverse layup with a minute to play – for the Indians, who improved to 11-7 and 3-1 in district play.
But unlike their 90-69 road win over Mosley earlier in the year, nothing was easy about this win despite a dominant first three quarters.
Taking advantage of Choctaw’s main ball handler, Hawkins, being on the bench after collecting a technical foul late in the third, the Dolphins came back from a 46-34 advantage and mounted a 19-5 run to seize control. A Dixon layup and 3-pointer from the top of the key gave the Dolphins a 53-51 lead with 3:36 left to play, but Choctaw would have an answer.
After a Baker free throw, Williams delivered the go-ahead shot from the free throw line, Baker scored on a putback and the Indians never looked back. Dixon answered with a drive to the hoop, but Whitehead responded with a reverse layup and Baker followed with a 2-for-2 trip to the line on consecutive trips to seal the win.
“He carried us offensively and defensively,” Thigpen said of Baker.
Shooting a blistering 8 of 10 from the floor and getting 11 points from Baker, the Indians led 19-12 after the first quarter.
Seizing the momentum, the Indians then let Williams put the team on his back.
The 6-5 center delivered eight points, blocked three shots and grabbed four boards in the frame, giving the Indians a 32-21 halftime lead.
“He’s starting to step up and he’s filling his role,” Thigpen said.
That advantage ballooned to as many as 16 before headed into the fourth with a 46-34 advantage.
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