BAKER — In less than two weeks, high school sports teams across the state start fall practice.
It won’t be long before the 2014-15 season is a distant memory; new heroes will emerge and district champions will be crowned during the upcoming school year.
But now, let's look at Baker School’s 2014-15 school year, which was one of continued success for the Gators.
The following list is my opinion, but other candidates could have easily made the cut.
With that in mind, here we go.
1. FOOTBALL TEAM REPEATS AS DISTRICT CHAMPS
In four years at his alma mater, Baker School football Coach Matt Brunson has led the Gators to once again become one of Florida's better Class 1A football teams.
Coming off an undefeated regular season in 2013, expectations were high for the Gators.
And they didn’t disappoint.
Baker won its first nine games and captured the District 1-1A championship. The Gators saw their streak of 20 straight regular-season games end at South Walton, but they rebounded, beating Graceville 21-7 in the playoffs' opening round.
Junior quarterback Jon Beck, junior running back Austin Davis and senior running back Austin Martin led the Gator offense. With Montae Barto leading the way on defense, the Gators inflicted pain on the opposition.
Baker lost to Vernon in the playoffs' second round, but the Gator football team's future is bright.
2. VOLLEYBALL TEAM CONTINUES TO ROLL
At least one so-called expert predicted Baker’s volleyball team would see their streak of 11 straight district titles end in 2014.
And I was wrong.
Despite having just one senior — Hartley Moate — the Gators turned in another championship season, making it a dozen straight.
They worked their way through a tough District 3-1A tournament, with wins over Jay in the semifinals and Chipley in the finals.
Moate might have been the lone senior, but the Gators had plenty of other weapons. Taylor Brunson, Ashley Black, Brittany Brunson, Emily Stewart and Kelsee McGraw helped prove that Baker’s volleyball team doesn’t rebuild; it simply reloads.
3. ALEXIS MITCHEM SIGNS SOFTBALL SCHOLARSHIP WITH WEST FLORIDA
In her four years on Baker's softball team, Alexis Mitchem became one of Northwest Florida's better small-school players.
A versatile hitter and fielder, Mitchem was best known for her work in the pitcher’s circle, where she was a tough draw for any opponent.
When the University of West Florida extended a scholarship offer to Mitchem, she was happy to sign with the Division II school in Pensacola.
Mitchem — who signed with the Argonauts on Nov. 18 — gave a simple explanation for choosing UWF: it felt the most like home.
4. MAYA ESPINOSA, SEVENTH GRADE SENSATION, GOES TO STATE COMPETITION
At an age when most runners compete with other middle-schoolers, Maya Espinosa was one of Florida's top high school cross country runners.
Espinosa was undefeated against local 1A competition and earned the District 1-1A championship with a time of 19:37. The Gator star continued her run through 1A competition, taking the Region 1-A title with a time of 18:52.
Her bid for a state championship came up short as she finished in fifth place with a time of 18:48.10 — still impressive for a runner who won’t be in high school for another two years.
She also had a strong spring, running the 1600 and 3200. Espinosa finished 11th in the state in the 1600 and ninth in the 3200.
5. JANAVOR WEATHERSPOON NAMED BOYS BASKETBALL COACH
When longtime Gator boys basketball coach Mike Martello was named Baker School's principal in the spring of 2014, his days directing the team ended.
The search for his replacement took almost six months before Weatherspoon, a former Oklahoma State player, was named the new Gator coach just before school started in August.
Martello cited Weatherspoon’s experience as a player and head high school coach when hiring the Delaware native.
Weatherspoon said he was excited to be working for the former Gator coach.
Baker struggled at times last season as Weatherspoon took over a young squad still trying to build depth, but with a year at Baker under his belt, things should be looking up for the Gators.
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DICKSON: Baker’s top 5 moments from 2014-15