
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
Gulf Breeze boys lacrosse team has won the district title, while Escambia baseball team has advanced to the district final. Both teams showcased strong performances in their respective postseason matches on April 15.
Gulf Breeze boys lacrosse wins district title, Escambia baseball advances to district final
Postseason action continues for Pensacola area teams. Here's a recap of the action from April 15, as one boys lacrosse team won a district title and a local baseball team advanced to a district championship
No. 3 Gulf Breeze 13, No. 1 Niceville 5
Gulf Breeze's Alex Sassi and Navarre's Zane Gaines battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Bryce Laing goes for the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Players battle for the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Alex Werrell and Navarre's Peyton Johns battle for the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Wesley Morrill and Navarre's Tyler Pich battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Navarre's Rylan Mapel and Gulf Breeze's Bryce Laing battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Navarre's Alexander Hepler moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Wesley Morrill passes the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze and Navarre players go after the ball 'during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Navarre's Peyton Johns moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Ethan Rudick moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Alex Werrell and Navarre's Peyton Johns battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Navarre's Peyton Johns moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Navarre's Braeden Fundling moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Wesley Morrill moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Alex Sassi and Navarre's Peyton Johns battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Players battle for the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Alex Werrell looks to pass the ball as Navarre's Zane Gaines looks to block him during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Gulf Breeze's Wesley Morrill moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Players battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
1 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Alex Sassi and Navarre's Zane Gaines battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
1 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Alex Sassi and Navarre's Zane Gaines battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
2 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Bryce Laing goes for the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
3 / 20
Players battle for the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
4 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Alex Werrell and Navarre's Peyton Johns battle for the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
5 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Wesley Morrill and Navarre's Tyler Pich battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
6 / 20
Navarre's Rylan Mapel and Gulf Breeze's Bryce Laing battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
7 / 20
Navarre's Alexander Hepler moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
8 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Wesley Morrill passes the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
9 / 20
Gulf Breeze and Navarre players go after the ball 'during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
10 / 20
Navarre's Peyton Johns moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
11 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Ethan Rudick moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
12 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Alex Werrell and Navarre's Peyton Johns battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
13 / 20
Navarre's Peyton Johns moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
14 / 20
Navarre's Braeden Fundling moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
15 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Wesley Morrill moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
16 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Alex Sassi and Navarre's Peyton Johns battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
17 / 20
Players battle for the ball during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
18 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Alex Werrell looks to pass the ball as Navarre's Zane Gaines looks to block him during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
19 / 20
Gulf Breeze's Wesley Morrill moves the ball down field during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
20 / 20
Players battle for position during the Boys Lacrosse District 1-2A semifinal at Navarre High School Saturday, April,11, 2026.
Despite the seeding, the Dolphins left no doubt on who remains the team to beat in District 1-2A. Gulf Breeze (10-7) scored first and never trailed on its way to a third straight district title. The Dolphins previously beat Niceville (11-6) 11-9 on Feb. 24.
Junior Landon Pickrell scored a team-high four goals, including his 100th career goal. Senior Wesley Morrill recorded a team-high six points. He scored a goal and dished out five assists, reaching 100 career assists. Ben Cozart and JT Parvin each scored a hat trick and added an assist.
Alex Werrell won 11 of 16 faceoffs, and freshman goalie Jack Sonntag recorded nine saves. Sonntag was supported by an excellent defense led by senior Ethan Rudick, who picked up seven groundballs and caused four turnovers.
Gulf Breeze automatically qualifies for the 2A state playoffs and will learn its Region 1-2A quarterfinal opponent during the FHSAA selection show on April 17.
The Dolphins looked to be safely in the field before losing three straight games to end the regular season. That dropped Gulf Breeze to the first team out of the Region 1-2A bracket and the No. 3 seed in the District 1-2A tournament in the most recent FHSAA rankings, which were released before district tournaments began.
Now the Dolphins have reclaimed their crown as the district's best team and could get a regional quarterfinal home game if they matchup with a non-district champion.
No. 2 Escambia 8, No. 3 Booker T. Washington 4
Gators Clayton Sanders (18) pitches against the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats Travis Bright (13) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats third baseman Eli Borjas (5) settles under a pop up for an out against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats Travis Bright (13) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Gators Clayton Sanders (18) safely heads to first as Wildcats pitcher Travis Bright (13) plays the bunt, but doesn’t have a play during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Gators Hunter Kroll (2) dives into third ahead of the tag by Wildcats Eli Borjas (5) during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats Travis Bright (13) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Gators Hunter Kroll (2) heads to the plate to take a 2-0 lead over the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats Eli Borjas (5) bats against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Gators Clayton Sanders (18) pitches against the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Gators (23) heads to the plate to take a 3-0 lead over the Wildcats on a 2-RBI double by Tyler Wilson (20) during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Gators Josh Hagan (3) heads to the plate to take a 4-0 lead over the Wildcats on a 2-RBI double by Tyler Wilson (20) during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats Angel Zuniga (10) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Gators J.R. Riley (5) puts the ball in play against the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats Angel Zuniga (10) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats pitcher Angel Zuniga (10) throws to first for an out against the Gators on a comebacker during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Gators third baseman J.R. Riley (5) throws to first for an out against the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
The Wildcats catcher (29) fires to first while playing a bunt by the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
The Gators take a 5-0 lead as a shot by Eli Wilbanks (10) gets past a diving Wildcats shortstop Anthony McAthur (7) for an RBI-double during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
The Gators Cohen Rush (7) heads to the plate to take a 5-0 lead over the Wildcats on an RBI-double by Eli Wilbanks (10) during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
The Gators Eli Wilbanks (10) heads to the plate to take a 6-0 lead over the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats Grayson Ellis (23) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats Anthony McAthur (7) plays a grounder up the middle and fires to first for an out against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
Wildcats Anthony McAthur (7) plays a grounder up the middle and fires to first for an out against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
A shot by Wildcats Grayson Ellis (23) gets past a diving Gators second baseman Eli Wilbanks (10) for a single during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
1 / 25
Gators Clayton Sanders (18) pitches against the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
1 / 25
Gators Clayton Sanders (18) pitches against the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
2 / 25
Wildcats Travis Bright (13) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
3 / 25
Wildcats third baseman Eli Borjas (5) settles under a pop up for an out against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
4 / 25
Wildcats Travis Bright (13) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
5 / 25
Gators Clayton Sanders (18) safely heads to first as Wildcats pitcher Travis Bright (13) plays the bunt, but doesn’t have a play during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
6 / 25
Gators Hunter Kroll (2) dives into third ahead of the tag by Wildcats Eli Borjas (5) during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
7 / 25
Wildcats Travis Bright (13) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
8 / 25
Gators Hunter Kroll (2) heads to the plate to take a 2-0 lead over the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
9 / 25
Wildcats Eli Borjas (5) bats against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
10 / 25
Gators Clayton Sanders (18) pitches against the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
11 / 25
Gators (23) heads to the plate to take a 3-0 lead over the Wildcats on a 2-RBI double by Tyler Wilson (20) during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
12 / 25
Gators Josh Hagan (3) heads to the plate to take a 4-0 lead over the Wildcats on a 2-RBI double by Tyler Wilson (20) during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
13 / 25
Wildcats Angel Zuniga (10) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
14 / 25
Gators J.R. Riley (5) puts the ball in play against the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
15 / 25
Wildcats Angel Zuniga (10) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
16 / 25
Wildcats pitcher Angel Zuniga (10) throws to first for an out against the Gators on a comebacker during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
17 / 25
Gators third baseman J.R. Riley (5) throws to first for an out against the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
18 / 25
The Wildcats catcher (29) fires to first while playing a bunt by the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
19 / 25
The Gators take a 5-0 lead as a shot by Eli Wilbanks (10) gets past a diving Wildcats shortstop Anthony McAthur (7) for an RBI-double during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
20 / 25
The Gators Cohen Rush (7) heads to the plate to take a 5-0 lead over the Wildcats on an RBI-double by Eli Wilbanks (10) during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
21 / 25
The Gators Eli Wilbanks (10) heads to the plate to take a 6-0 lead over the Wildcats during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
22 / 25
Wildcats Grayson Ellis (23) pitches against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
23 / 25
Wildcats Anthony McAthur (7) plays a grounder up the middle and fires to first for an out against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
24 / 25
Wildcats Anthony McAthur (7) plays a grounder up the middle and fires to first for an out against the Gators during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
25 / 25
A shot by Wildcats Grayson Ellis (23) gets past a diving Gators second baseman Eli Wilbanks (10) for a single during the Booker T. Washington vs Escambia 1-4A District semifinal baseball game at Escambia High School in Pensacola on April 15, 2026.
The Gators raced out to an 8-0 lead after three innings and advanced to the District 1-4A championship.
Senior Clayton Sanders shut down the Wildcats offense in his first appearance since April 3. Sanders allowed a run on two hits while striking out 14. He also batted leadoff and went 2-for-4.
Caleb Bates went 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Tyler Wilson added a hit and three RBIs. J.R. Riley added two hits and two RBIs, while Eli Wilbanks recorded two hits and an RBI.
Angel Zuniga scored a hit and an RBI to lead the Wildcats.
Escambia (15-11) will play at No. 1 Choctawhatchee in the District 1-4A championship on April 17 at 7 p.m. The Indians beat the Gators 4-2 on March 24 and 7-1 on March 26.
Booker T. Washington (14-11) is eliminated and its season is over, as the Wildcats needed to win the district tournament to qualify for the 4A state playoffs. This was Booker T.'s first winning season since 2021, when the Wildcats finished 18-8.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola area high school sports postseason recap April 15
The Gulf Breeze boys lacrosse team won the district title in the District 1-2A final.
Escambia baseball team advanced to the district final on April 15.
The Gulf Breeze boys lacrosse team won the district title on April 15.
Gulf Breeze boys lacrosse will continue in the postseason, while Escambia baseball will compete in the district championship.

Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
A look at every first-round pick by Packers GM Brian Gutekunst since 2018.
Subaru vs Hyundai: A New Rivalry at the 2026 Nürburgring 24h
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.