Milton grounds Niceville 66-51

NICEVILLE – Milton High School ended their season at home on a sour note and appear on a mission to avenge their most recent loss.

The Panthers (25-4) took the first step in doing so with a 66-51 win over Niceville Thursday in the Region 1-6A quarterfinals.

Now the Panthers will visit Pine Forest on Tuesday in the semi-finals at 7 p.m. after the Pine Forest Eagles defeated Choctawhatchee High School 73-52 on Thursday.

Milton and Niceville went head to head for three quarter before the Panthers proved to be too much for the Eagles on their home court.

“It was a hard fought game with a great atmosphere for our guys to play in. Niceville’s kids were smart and gritty. They are a very good team who can hit shots from anywhere on the floor,” Milton head coach Hank Hullett said. “I think our guys played hard the whole time, but we made some mental mistakes that could cost us an important game if we are not able to fix them.

“I proud of our guys for their effort and happy we get another couple of days to practice.”

The first half alone featured 10 lead chances, but the Panthers finished the first two quarters on top by one point, 24-23.

Despite Niceville (15-10) pulling within two points on a couple of occasions in the third quarter the Panthers kept up their intensity to pull away at the end.

Haylen Washington and De’Michael McQueen took over in the fourth quarter, combining for 17 of the Panther’s 20 fourth-quarter points. Niceville managed just nine points in the game’s final period.

Now the Panthers attention will focus on Pine Forest who defeated the Panthers in the Panther’s Den , to capture their second consecutive District 1-6A basketball title.

Hullett had his players watch the celebration at midcourt as the Eagles jumped and celebrated on the Panthers’ logo.

“I think everything happens for a reason. It is a short turn around and I think that is good; everything will still be fresh in the minds of our players,” Hullett said. “Pine Forest has a very good team. They were able to impose their will on us in the second half and beat us on our home floor.

“I think we learned a number of valuable lessons from that game. It will be a great atmosphere with two good teams looking to move on in the playoffs. I am excited about being apart of it.”

Pat Flynn, sportswriter with the Northwest Florida Daily News, contributed to this report.