Mens basketball: Milton runs out of time

MILTON — The Milton High School Panther men’s basketball team faced the Crestview High Bulldogs Friday night. Despite home court advantage, the Panthers came up short by three points.

The Panthers started out slow in the first two quarters, mustering only 16 points. Crestview put on the clamps to control the tempo in the first half.

Coach Joey Murdock of Milton was able to make some key adjustments to change the flow to the Panthers favor.

Walker (6-foot-4 guard) from Milton showed the fans why he is the Panthers go to guy with his ability to score in the paint, make key free-throws and shoot the three as well. Walker had an amazing dunk that blew the crowd away. The Bulldogs could not stop him.

Marquis Allen (#20) and Jared Barbour (#30) chipped in with 11 points each. They hit key jump shots and scored from the free-throw line as well.

Coach Murdock was able to draw plays to give his team that extra needed push for them to score 23 points in the 4th quarter. The intensity the young men showed brought the fans to their feet to cheer on the Panthers. It was not that Milton lost the game but they just ran out of time. Final score, 50-47 Crestview. Milton's record in 10-4 and 4-1 in league play.

Coming up, the Panthers face the Gulf Breeze Dolphins Jan. 12, the Choctaw Indians Jan. 15 and district rivals, the Pace Patriots, Jan. 18.