FWB's Milton, Paxton's Gilbert named girls hoops POY

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

When Tandria Milton and Maryllyn Gilbert began their varsity careers four years ago, they had potential.

Now, as outgoing seniors, the pair can say that potential turned into production.

Milton, a three-year starter for Fort Walton Beach, and Gilbert, who started for three years at Paxton, both saw plenty of growth in their games over the years. That development blossomed this year as each player led their team to a district title and made deep runs through regional play.

Milton and Gilbert are this year's All Sports Association/Daily News girls basketball Players of the Year.

Milton won the award for the larger schools (Class 4A-5A), beating out Choctaw's Fran Bowman and Navarre's Lori Fletcher. Gilbert got the honor for the smaller schools (Class A-3A), edging Baker's Chelsea Combest.

"She is the prime example of putting in the time and being rewarded for it," Fort Walton Beach coach Holly McDaniel said of Milton. "She's constantly working on her game."

Milton averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and 3.5 assists as the Vikings won their seventh straight District 1-5A title and advanced to the regional finals. The Viking point guard said she became more than just a scorer in her final season.

"I had to be more of a leader this year," Milton said. "I had to step it up."

It didn't hurt that she didn't have to worry about her future either. Before the season, Milton verbally committed to Alabama State.

"That made it easy to just play my game and relax," Milton said.

McDaniel said perhaps the biggest change in Milton was her accepting the role of being the leader.

"I think that more than ever, she really had the confidence where she could put the team on her back and be the difference in a game," McDaniel said. "She controlled the team as far as tempo and offense, and more importantly, playing consistent.

"When it was a crucial time and we had to have her, she knew to kick it in."

Paxton coach Herb Haddock had the same praise for his standout senior. One year after a regional final trip when she was not the first option on key possessions, Gilbert was the go-to player in her final season.

"She took all the big shots," Haddock said. "She got the ball in critical situations. She was option one, and she loved that role. If you spend the time and prepare yourself, you want that and relish that role."

Gilbert indeed enjoyed being the one her teammates looked to, and it was a position she finally felt comfortable in.

"Having that belief in myself was a big help," she said. "I had a much bigger role than in years past. I had to be a leader."

She was, and led the Bobcats to a 26-5 record, their fourth straight District 1-A championship and a spot in the state semifinals. Gilbert averaged a team-high 13.8 points and was used at nearly every position on the floor depending on the situation.

"She's a very versatile player," Haddock said. "We used her everywhere."

Both players remarked about extra time in the gym preparing for their senior years, and both smiled when reflecting on the results of their hard work.

"It was just awesome," Gilbert said. "To go to Lakeland (for the final four) is what you live for. It's what I've lived for. I can't describe it other than to say it was awesome."

Big school

Player of the Year: Tandria Milton, FWB

Coach of the Year: Holly McDaniel, FWB

First team

Tandria Milton, FWB - POY

Kiara Parker, FWB

Lori Fletcher, Navarre

Fran Bowman, Choctaw

LeEra Lewis, FWB

Second team

Arianna Roper, Niceville

Demetra Giblin, Navarre

Kristin Rogers, FWB

Christen Cardreon, Choctaw

Kiani Parker, FWB

Honorable mention

Choctawhatchee: Val Dixon, Rah McCorvey, D.J. Taylor

Crestview: Liz Graham, Monique Thurman, Dominique Maisonet

Fort Walton Beach: Brittani Stephenson

Navarre: Kylie Casey, Aneshia Wilson

Niceville: Donielle Campbell

Small schools

Player of the Year: Maryllyn Gilbert, Paxton

Coach of the Year: Herb Haddock, Paxton

First team

Chelsea Combest, Baker

Taylor Griffith, SW

Maryllyn Gilbert, Paxton

Nicole Dykes, Freeport

Betsy Stevenson, Walton

Second team

Stevie Davidson, Paxton

Vikki Pepper, Paxton

Courtney Fountain, Baker

Lee Paulk, Walton

Aracely Garcia, SW

Honorable mention

Baker: Heather Chestnut

Freeport: Lora King, Kaycee Jones

Laurel Hill:  Laqueatta Williams

Paxton: Erin Walker, Olivia Adams

South Walton: Tiffany Snider, Shereka Bramlet, Jamie Delaney, Rachel Miller

Walton: Tori Lincoln