FORT WALTON BEACH — Crestview High School’s boys basketball team will have to wait until the tournament to get another District 2-6A win.
The Bulldogs had their chances against Fort Walton Beach on Tuesday, but they came up short despite a 26-point effort by Bulldog freshman Marcus Purcell.
Dakota Blackmon hit the second of two free throws with 0.04 seconds left in the game to give Fort Walton Beach High School’s boys basketball team a 62-61 win over Crestview on Tuesday.
The win wrapped up the top seed for the Vikings (7-12, 3-0) in the upcoming District 2-6A tournament, and better yet, assured Fort Walton Beach of a spot in the upcoming playoffs.
For the second time in as many games, the Bulldogs couldn’t hold a double-digit lead against the Vikings.
Fort Walton Beach used a zone defense in the first half to take a 25-17 lead at the half.
But the Bulldogs were just getting started. Crestview went to a full-court press to open the third quarter that led to a 25-2 run to start the second half.
Marquis McClain, Rusty Moorer and Marcus Purcell had hot hands as Crestview led 42-27 with 3:20 left in the period.
A 3-pointer by William Jordan seemed to bring the Vikings back to life.
It was Jordan’s heroics late in the fourth quarter that also gave the Vikings a boost.
With 35 seconds lef in the game Jordan scored off the steal of a Bulldog inbounds pass to put Fort Walton Beach in front 60-59.
Andrew Adkins scored for Crestview with 21 seconds left to put the Bulldogs back in front.
Blackmon hit 1-of-2 free throws with eight seconds left in the game to tie it.
The Bulldogs had a chance to win it in regulation or at least go to overtime, but Crestview was called for a foul on a missed shot to send Blackmon to the line for the game winner.
Blackmon led the Vikings in scoring with 16 points.
Purcell was the only Bulldog in double figures. McClain finished the night with nine points and Moorer scored eight points.
FORT WALTON BEACH 62, CRESTVIEW 61
Crestview 2 15 33 11 – 61
Fort Walton Beach 10 15 12 25 – 62
CRESTVIEW (61)
Marquis McClain 9, Rusty Moorer 8, Capri Jones 4, Andrew Adkins 4, Keenan Redd 4, Sam Johnson 2, Marcus Purcell 26, Tyrese Seals 2, Chris Bryant 2. Totals 18 3 16-24 61.
FORT WALTON BEACH (62)
Malik Straham 4, Marquis Jackson 11, William Jordan 14, Trevor Cochran 13, Dakota Blackmon 16, Antonio Marshall 4. Totals 18 6 8-15 62.
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach boys basketball box
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview lets one slip away from Fort Walton Beach