Seahawks get new coach

The South Walton Seahawks basketball team has had a rough couple of years.

In the 2005-06 season, the Seahawks fi nished with a record of two wins and 23 losses going winless in District 1-3A. The 2006-07 season showed a little improvement as South Walton fi nished with a 6-20 record but still winless in the district.

But for the 2007-08 season, South Walton will be heading in a new direction with a new coach. John Davies offi cially begins his duties on Aug. 13 but is looking to get to the area as soon as possible.

Davies, who has 21 years in public education including 10 years in administration, has directed Class 3A Taylor County to two District 3-3A championships (1999-2000 and 2005-06 seasons) and district runner-up in 2006-07.

“We think we got a winner,” said South Walton principal Mark Ewing. “He has a positive coaching attitude and wants to do some summer camps.”

Davies has his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Florida State University and his master’s in education from Florida A&M.

He was selected following interviews with eight prospects and received high ratings from his references.

While he has taught at both the middle school and high schools in Taylor County, he coached the Bulldogs varsity basketball squad during his time at both schools.

Ewing also said he had Lady Seahawks basketball coach Kevin Craig talk with Davies since the two will have to share court time.

“I wanted to make sure Kevin was part of the process so we did not end up with a confl ict between the two coaches,” said Ewing.

Ewing believes Davies while fit in well at South Walton with both parents and athletes, bringing a good combination of coaching skills and discipline to the Seahawks in 2007.