NICEVILLE - That's 28 up, 28 down for the Choctawhatchee High girls' basketball team.
And now the Lady Indians have another trophy to go with that spotless record.
Led by 25 points from Brittany Brown and a suffocating defense that forced 24 turnovers, Choctaw improved to 28-0 and earned its second straight District 2-6A Championship with a 52-29 victory over rival Fort Walton Beach in the district tournament title game Saturday night.
View a photo gallery from the game >>
"This feels great," said Choctaw head coach Don Brown of the district championship. "We've won three tournaments this year, and this is the most important one of all. This is what we've talked about since the summer. This is why we've put in all the work. I'm proud of the girls, each and every one of them."
With the win, Choctaw secures a top seed in the Region 1-6A quarterfinal round, which will mean a Thursday night home game against Pensacola, the same team that handed Choctaw its only two losses in 2011-12.
The Vikings, who are entering the playoffs for the 22nd straight season, will travel to face District 1-6A champ Pine Forest. Both games are set to tip off at 7 p.m. Thursday.
At Saturday night's district finale hosted by Niceville High School, the Indians used a familiar formula for success, relying on Brown's ability to create points on the offensive end and using a stifling defense to create separation. The Indians forced 14 first-half turnovers and allowed the Vikings to hit just two of its 17 shots from the field in the first two quarters to build a 26-8 halftime lead.
"We want to be a team that can win with defense," said Don Brown. "We've probably worked on defense a little more than we've worked on offense, but I think the offense will come."
Brittany Brown, a Florida State University signee, led Choctaw with 15 first-half points.
In the second half, both teams were able to manufacture more offense early, as FWB's Mercedez Clayborne scored eight of her team-high 14 points in the third quarter to help the Vikings stay within striking distance. Brittany Brown had the answer once more, though, as Choctaw's point guard delivered a pair of three-point plays late in the third to help the Indians build a 43-17 lead after three quarters. Senior Brittany Washington also hit a pair of third-quarter 3-pointers, good for six of her 11 points.
The Indians' biggest lead of the night came early in the fourth quarter, when a third 3-point play by Brittany Brown put Choctaw up 51-21 with just over five minutes to go.
On the night, Clayborne led FWB with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while point guard Katie O'Neal added 10 points.
Brittany Brown and Washington were Choctaw's only double-digit scorers, while Lauren Day added six points and six boards.
The win keeps Choctaw's unbeaten season alive, setting up the showdown with a Pensacola team that ended the Indians' state title dreams last season.
"I know they're good, like always," said Don Brown. "We'll enjoy this tonight, then we'll get back to work on Monday."
Choctaw defends district title, routs FWB (GALLERY)
Choctawhatchee's Lauren Day, middle, makes a rebound against Fort Walton Beach's Malaya Evans, left, and Mercedez Clayborne.
NICK TOMECEK / Daily NewsPublished: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 22:30 PM.
NICEVILLE - That's 28 up, 28 down for the Choctawhatchee High girls' basketball team.
And now the Lady Indians have another trophy to go with that spotless record.
Led by 25 points from Brittany Brown and a suffocating defense that forced 24 turnovers, Choctaw improved to 28-0 and earned its second straight District 2-6A Championship with a 52-29 victory over rival Fort Walton Beach in the district tournament title game Saturday night.
View a photo gallery from the game >>
"This feels great," said Choctaw head coach Don Brown of the district championship. "We've won three tournaments this year, and this is the most important one of all. This is what we've talked about since the summer. This is why we've put in all the work. I'm proud of the girls, each and every one of them."
With the win, Choctaw secures a top seed in the Region 1-6A quarterfinal round, which will mean a Thursday night home game against Pensacola, the same team that handed Choctaw its only two losses in 2011-12.
The Vikings, who are entering the playoffs for the 22nd straight season, will travel to face District 1-6A champ Pine Forest. Both games are set to tip off at 7 p.m. Thursday.
At Saturday night's district finale hosted by Niceville High School, the Indians used a familiar formula for success, relying on Brown's ability to create points on the offensive end and using a stifling defense to create separation. The Indians forced 14 first-half turnovers and allowed the Vikings to hit just two of its 17 shots from the field in the first two quarters to build a 26-8 halftime lead.
"We want to be a team that can win with defense," said Don Brown. "We've probably worked on defense a little more than we've worked on offense, but I think the offense will come."
Brittany Brown, a Florida State University signee, led Choctaw with 15 first-half points.
In the second half, both teams were able to manufacture more offense early, as FWB's Mercedez Clayborne scored eight of her team-high 14 points in the third quarter to help the Vikings stay within striking distance. Brittany Brown had the answer once more, though, as Choctaw's point guard delivered a pair of three-point plays late in the third to help the Indians build a 43-17 lead after three quarters. Senior Brittany Washington also hit a pair of third-quarter 3-pointers, good for six of her 11 points.
The Indians' biggest lead of the night came early in the fourth quarter, when a third 3-point play by Brittany Brown put Choctaw up 51-21 with just over five minutes to go.
On the night, Clayborne led FWB with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while point guard Katie O'Neal added 10 points.
Brittany Brown and Washington were Choctaw's only double-digit scorers, while Lauren Day added six points and six boards.
The win keeps Choctaw's unbeaten season alive, setting up the showdown with a Pensacola team that ended the Indians' state title dreams last season.
"I know they're good, like always," said Don Brown. "We'll enjoy this tonight, then we'll get back to work on Monday."
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