CRESTVIEW — A 12-year wait ends Thursday night for Crestview High School’s girls basketball team.
The Bulldogs (16-9), who claimed their first district championship since 2003, host Leon in the Region 1-7A quarterfinals.
Crestview opened last year’s playoffs with a 68-46 win over the Lions at Leon. The Bulldogs advanced to the region finals.
Crestview Coach Kathy Combest believes last year’s playoff experience will help the team this year.
“They (Crestview’s players) won’t be as unprepared mentally,” she said. “Physically and skill-wise, I will always have them prepared and, hopefully, with the game plan.
“It’s what it (having won in the playoffs) does with your psyche — it makes them more focused because they have been there before.”
Combest said the scouting report on the Lions was similar to the one an opponent might have for Crestview. The teams are similar in size, and both squads lost two seniors to graduation from a year ago.
“I’ve talked to other coaches and basically run a zone (defense),” Combest said. “They will try to press. They will take the ball to the hole.
"I think we are a better team. We are a little quicker. I feel good about things right now.”
As district runner up last year, Crestview was forced to go on the road throughout the playoffs. Having a home playoff game is a welcome change for Combest, who expects to see a full house Thursday night.
“It’s tremendous (playing at home),” she said. “You get all your fans there with the students. We had a good crowd Saturday at Niceville (for the district tournament finals).
“I think because it’s the first time for these girls to win in several years, that the fans are just as hungry as the girls.”
Combest is confident that if the Bulldogs play their game against the Lions, things will fall into place for the win.
“The key to this game is for us to do what we do,” she said. “We need to get the ball out and take the fast break. We also have to take it in (the paint) and then pop it out to our shooters.
“My biggest concern is us not blocking out because they do a really good job of crashing the boards and trying to put that missed ball back up.”
UPCOMING
WHAT: Region 1-7A girls basketball semifinal, Leon vs. Crestview
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Crestview High School gym
COST: $7
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Coach confident as Crestview girls open playoffs (VIDEO)