Fort Walton Beach High School’s boys and girls basketball programs will both enter their district tournaments as the top seeds after strong finishes to the regular season, with the road to a district championship running through the Fort.

• The boys team closed at 18-7 after winning six straight games to end the year, including revenge victories over Milton and Choctaw. The girls finished 19-4, sweeping in-county rivals Choctaw, Niceville and Mosley for the second consecutive season.

Boys poised for postseason push

The Vikings started 3-3 but went 15-4 the rest of the way, with losses coming only to playoff-bound teams Milton, Charles Henderson and St. Georges, plus a buzzer-beater defeat at Choctaw.

Head Coach Chris Carswell said the challenging early schedule prepared his team for this moment.

• “The first half of the season was no easy task. We played just one home game, with the rest coming on the road, forcing our team to grow up fast,” Carswell said. “One of the highlights early on was our trip to Georgia, where we faced high-level competition and came away with a huge win over a 7A program on their home floor. That moment gave our guys belief and confidence in who we are and what we can become.”

The Vikings also traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, an experience Carswell said went beyond basketball.

“That trip meant more than just basketball. It allowed our players to experience traveling out of state, competing against strong opponents, and preparing for the intensity of postseason play,” he said. “Just as important, it was a tremendous team-bonding experience — one that helped define our identity.”

Fort Walton Beach also reached the championship game of the Island Beach Blowout, which the school hosts annually, before falling to a Tennessee team.

• “After the break, this group really hit its stride. We finished the regular season 7-1, securing the No. 1 seed in 4A District 1,” Carswell said. “The growth, toughness, and chemistry developed throughout the season have us firing on all cylinders at the right time.”

The Vikings open district play Thursday at 7 p.m. at home against West Florida Tech (11-10). A win would send them to Saturday’s district championship at 7 p.m. against the Pensacola-Bay winner.

Fort Walton Beach currently holds the No. 3 seed in the region, sitting 0.985 points behind No. 2 Godby in the FHSAA’s computer rankings. A dominant district showing combined with a Godby stumble could elevate the Vikings to the No. 2 seed. A district championship would guarantee at least one home playoff game.

Lady Vikings eye deep run

The Lady Vikings opened the season 11-0, including double-digit victories over playoff teams Pine Forest, Mosley, Rickards and Chipley, as well as wins over county rivals Choctaw and Niceville.

A December tournament in Kentucky brought the Lady Vikings’ first two losses of the season, but head coach Mercedez Clayborne said the trip provided valuable lessons.

“The experience of flying out to Kentucky was so exciting for the girls. Being dressed alike in their warmups and boarding together. I remember a few making comments about feeling like a celebrity and feeling very important,” Claybrone said. “That’s exactly what we wanted them to feel like.”

The competition proved eye-opening.

“The teams in Kentucky were extremely disciplined, well coached, and they played with a purpose. Whether it was cutting hard, setting screens, getting on the floor or boxing out, all five on the floor executed,” Claybrone said. “This was eye opening for our girls because the small things separated them from us. We took our first two losses at this tournament, so coming back the girls were able to see the film and see how important those things are.”

Since Kentucky, Fort Walton Beach has gone 8-2, with losses to Rickards and Pine Forest.

Claybrone said earning the top seed means playing in front of a home crowd that makes a difference.

• “Being the No. 1 seed feels good because we get to play at home in front of our fans, our cheerleaders, our Stars, and our administrators,” she said. “We have the best student section in Florida and they show up dressed to impress, and they get loud and keep the girls motivated. It’s hard to not play hard in front of a crowd like that.”

The Lady Vikings host Bay on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the district semifinals. The winner advances to Friday’s district championship at 7 p.m. against the Pensacola-West Florida Tech winner.

Fort Walton Beach is the No. 2 seed in the region, with Rickards just 0.559 points behind in the computer rankings. A district title would guarantee home-court advantage through the Sweet 16.

Building experiences beyond the court

Athletic Director Holly McDaniel, who preceded Claybrone as girls basketball head coach, said the travel experiences both programs had this season reflect the department’s priorities.

“I’m really proud of the way our coaches make sure our student-athletes have opportunities like this. Our girls basketball team traveled to Kentucky, and our boys team went to South Carolina, giving both groups the experience of getting on a plane and competing in tournaments away from home,” McDaniel said. “These trips are about more than just basketball — they’re about competing, bonding as a team, and creating memories they’ll carry with them forever. That’s what high school sports should truly be about.”

McDaniel added that such experiences help teams peak at the right time.

“I also believe experiences like these help teams peak at the right time heading into the playoffs,” she said. “Understanding how to get focused, travel together and making it a business trip when it is postseason.”

The Lady Vikings open district play Wednesday at 6 p.m. against Bay. The boys begin Thursday at 7 p.m. against West Florida Tech. Both games with be at Fort Walton Beach High School.