CRESTVIEW — George Stakley, Crestview High School’s first-year boys basketball coach, understands the challenge facing the Bulldogs.
“There are high expectations coming off back-to-back Elite Eight champions,” he said. “We went into the preseason and got to see players in certain situations we wouldn’t normally see them (in).
“I thought we did well overall as a team.”
The Bulldogs should again be a talented squad, with returning starters Rusty Moorer, Andrew Adkins and Marquis McClain leading the team. (At least, McClain is expected to be one of the leaders when he recovers from a preseason injury in a couple of weeks.)
Bryant Berry and Ryan Weekley also return from last year’s team, and Stakley likes what both players offer.
“I love Bryant,” Stakley said. “He’s going to play defense and do whatever the coaches ask him to do. I expect big things from Bryant.
“Ryan Weekley, I just want him to go in and shoot. I expect some big shots from him."
An influx of new talent joins the Bulldog veterans.
“Freshman Marcus Purcell, he’s going to be starting,” Stakley said. “He’s big for a freshman. He plays a two guard.
“Chris Bryant just moved from Kansas. He’s a big help on the boards. He is going to fill a void rebounding.”
Capri Jones, a Crestview football player, also will help the basketball team. Stakley said Jones is an effective defender who uses his football mentality to push people around.
After back-to-back District 1-7A championships, the Bulldogs will play in the new District 2-6A with Okaloosa County rivals Choctawhatchee and Fort Walton Beach.
“Choctaw is very young,” Stakley said. “They have about four freshmen on the varsity. They are not very big, but they are quick and high energy.
“Fort Walton Beach is always a (coach) 'John Lavin team' (in their aggressive style of play). I watched them play in the preseason, and they are bigger than they were last year. I can see them improving as the year goes along.
“It’s going to be a dogfight with both of them.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lofty expectations remain for Crestview