Editor's Note: The News Bulletin selected North Okaloosa's top 10 sports stories of 2014.
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1. Crestview's basketball teams make big run
It’s doubtful anyone could have imagined the success the Bulldogs would have under first-year coach Greg Watson. Led by Denzel Ware and Ronnie Baylark's heroics, the Bulldogs won the District 1-7A championship and advanced to the Elite Eight before being eliminated from the playoffs.
Crestview's girls basketball team also made a deep run into the playoffs, advancing to the Elite Eight. However, they did it the hard way as District 1-7A runner up. Coach Kathy Combest, in her second year helming the program, depended on seniors Jasmine Middleton and Arianna Simms to provide stability on a young squad.
2. Denzel Ware signs with Kentucky
Crestview High School's defensive end became the first Bulldog football player since Matt Sanders in 2008 to sign a football scholarship with a power conference. He also was Crestview's first football player to sign with a Southeastern Conference team in more than 20 years.
3. Baker football team goes back-to-back
For the second consecutive year, the Gators claimed the District 1-1A championship, running the table in district play. They finished the regular season with a 9-1 record and won their first playoff game since 2001. Coach Matt Brunson will bring plenty of players back in 2015, which could be another banner year.
4. And the beat goes on for Gator volleyball
A young Baker School volleyball team — with only one senior, Hartley Moate — won its 12th consecutive district championship. The Gators no longer rebuild; they simply reload. With Brittany Brunson, Taylor Brunson, Ashley Black and several other players returning, don’t look for the Gators to slow down in 2015.
5. Mustang football team wins first championship
Six years after fielding its first football team, Shoal River Middle School claimed its first Okaloosa County championship. Coach Ryan Gillis’ Mustangs ran the table, going 9-0 on the way to the championship.
6. Davidson Middle School’s volleyball team claims title
After years of being the bridesmaids, the Panthers were finally the brides as they claimed the first volleyball championship. Davidson beat Ruckel 25-21, 25-22 to win the championship.
7. Kentucky football coach in Laurel Hill
There was a touch of University of Kentucky blue on Jan. 21 in Laurel Hill, where Wildcat head football Coach Mark Stoops and defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot dropped by to watch Crestview's Denzel Ware play basketball against the Hoboes. Ware later signed with the Kentucky.
8. Laurel Hill volleyball team repeats
A strong Hobo volleyball team won its second district championship in as many years under Coach Kent Zessin's direction.
9. Henderson becomes original Argonaut
On Dec. 19, former Crestview High School defensive back Tyler Henderson was one of the first two players to sign with the University of West Florida's fledgling football team. Henderson, a 2013 CHS graduate, was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs in football and baseball. He spent a year on the Florida Atlantic University football team.
10. Martello steps down as coach
Mike Martello steps down as Baker School's boys basketball coach. Martello vacated the position when he was named the school’s principal.
Janavor Weatherspoon, a former Oklahoma State basketball player under legendary coach Eddie Sutton, got the job.
Honorable mentions
There always are more than 10 big stories in any given year.
These stories came up just short of making the list, and in other years might have made the cut:
• Former Crestview High School baseball star Blake Dean is named an assistant baseball coach at the University of New Orleans.
• Gerald Martello, a former Baker School basketball coach and father of Baker Principal Mike Martello, dies. Gerald Martello’s four children were all star athletes at Baker.
• Longtime Crestview High School Quarterback Club Roger Berry dies. The Bulldog community lost one of its biggest supporters when Berry died in August after a courageous battle with cancer.
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2014's Best of North Okaloosa sports