Stories by Brian Lester
Stories by Brian Lester
Panther boys basketball team benefitting from summer hoops
June 12, 2025
Matt Anderson has been coaching basketball for a long time, and earlier this month, he had a chance to see his new team in action.
The Panthers played at a team camp at Pensacola State, and Anderson, in his first year at Milton, likes the way things look early on, though there is always room for improvement.
The Panthers played at a team camp at Pensacola State, and Anderson, in his first year at Milton, likes the way things look early on, though there is always room for improvement.
Central’s boys basketball team making most of game experience
June 11, 2025
Central’s boys basketball team is expected to play almost 30 games in the month of June.
And that’s a good thing for the Jaguars, who are getting work in as they prepare for the season.
And that’s a good thing for the Jaguars, who are getting work in as they prepare for the season.
Elzy looks to continue growth in basketball at college level
June 10, 2025
Ra’shaun Elzy graduated from Milton as one of the top basketball players in the area.
He’ll now take his talents to the next level after signing with Snead State earlier this year.
He’ll now take his talents to the next level after signing with Snead State earlier this year.
A season to remember for Lulu Luedtke at Northwest Florida State
June 10, 2025
Lulu Luedtke could not have asked for a better first and only softball season at Northwest Florida State.
She transferred in from NCAA Division II Anderson, seeking a fresh start closer to home. It turned out to be a great move for the Milton grad.
She transferred in from NCAA Division II Anderson, seeking a fresh start closer to home. It turned out to be a great move for the Milton grad.
Now a pro fighter, it’s still business as usual for Cam Bennett
June 9, 2025
In his first fight as a pro last October, Cam Bennett didn’t feel too much changed for him.
He trained the same, never cutting corners, and worked hard leading up to the fight, coming away with a dominant victory at Island Fights inside the Bay Center.
He trained the same, never cutting corners, and worked hard leading up to the fight, coming away with a dominant victory at Island Fights inside the Bay Center.
Brian Out Loud
June 9, 2025
I’m not sure what you think of the best-of-three series for high school baseball in Florida, but I liked it.
Apparently the FHSAA wasn’t as big of a fan as it as the series set-up will a look a little different in 2026.
Apparently the FHSAA wasn’t as big of a fan as it as the series set-up will a look a little different in 2026.
DeMarcus named Florida’s top softball player by Gatorade
June 9, 2025
Add another accomplishment to Hannah DeMarcus’ softball resume.
The Pace sophomore pitcher has been named Florida’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
The Pace sophomore pitcher has been named Florida’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
Area lifters gear up for another trip to nationals
June 6, 2025
Sending weightlifting athletes to nationals has become the norm for coach Joey Paladino.
A total of 25 are headed to Colorado Springs in two weeks to compete at the USAW National Championship meet.
A total of 25 are headed to Colorado Springs in two weeks to compete at the USAW National Championship meet.
Justin Raley headed to Northview as next head coach
June 5, 2025
Justin Raley has learned a lot coaching with his dad, Duane, including at Jay, where the two won a state championship with the Royals in 2024.
Now, Raley will get his chance be a head baseball coach after landing a job with Northview.
Now, Raley will get his chance be a head baseball coach after landing a job with Northview.
New regional baseball format among changes made by FHSAA
June 5, 2025
A change to the regional tournament format for baseball is the among the changes made during the FHSAA Board of Directors meeting earlier this month.
Instead of having all three rounds of the regional played under a best-of-three format, only the semifinal and final rounds will be a series. The best-of-three was first used in 2025.
Instead of having all three rounds of the regional played under a best-of-three format, only the semifinal and final rounds will be a series. The best-of-three was first used in 2025.