FWB's McDaniel, Paxton's Haddock top girls hoops coaches

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

If you look at most successful programs, there is a formula that is followed.

That winning tradition is instilled upon the younger players, and as they age and mature they pass along their lessons to the next group.

Behind it all is the coaches, who preach the right way to do things and make sure the focus of the team is where it needs to be.

It's a formula that has worked well for Fort Walton Beach and Paxton along with their respective coaches, Holly McDaniel and Herb Haddock.

McDaniel led a senior-laden group to their seventh straight District 1-5A title and a spot in the regional finals. Haddock's Bobcats went a step further, reaching the Class A state semifinals after suffering injuries to three major players in the middle of the season.

McDaniel and Haddock are the Daily News' girls basketball Coaches of the Year. McDaniel takes the award for the larger schools (Class 4A-5A), while Haddock claims the honor for the smaller schools (Class A-3A).

"I strongly believe that winning is a habit, and if you don't know any other way, then you refuse to allow (anything else) to happen," McDaniel said. "This group knew what they wanted to accomplish."

Haddock agreed, saying that the key is teaching everyone in the program from day one.

"It kind of validates your program," said Haddock of the team's success. "We teach every one, every day."

The Vikings finished 26-5 and had the benefit of a large senior class, and McDaniel said motivating them was not an issue. In fact, the only major roadblock they hit was in December when two starters were injured and the team struggled a bit in adjusting. But once those players came back, so did the chemistry and wins. The effect of the struggles on the team was far-reaching in a positive way.

"When we had everyone playing, they were consistent," McDaniel said. "I think what is great about this group is that, unless you are within the program, you can't see how much they matured.

"They learned to rely on each other and have faith in each other."

Haddock, meanwhile, had to rebuild half his rotation after one player went down with a broken finger and two others suffered broken feet. In spite of it all, though, the Bobcats hardly missed a beat in winning their fourth straight District 1-A championship and posting a 25-6 record.

"It's satisfying to me because it was satisfying to them," Haddock said. "(When injuries occurred) we didn't get in the doldrums and that is a credit to our seniors."

In addition to being strong leaders, both Haddock and McDaniel credited the other coaches on the bench.

"Another reason why we were successful was because of the consistency of our assistants and the commitment they have and the time they put in," McDaniel said. "A program doesn't win without great assistant coaches - it just doesn't."