(Kenedy) – Navarro looks to advance to the regional quarterfinals of the 4A girls basketball playoffs for the second straight season on Thursday when the Panthers face Beeville-Jones in an area-round matchup at Kenedy High School.
The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but has been pushed back twice now due to inclement weather.
Coach Darrel Harborth’s Panthers (26-2) won the District 27-4A championship during the regular season and advanced through the bi-district playoffs with a 63-28 win over Bandera last Thursday.
Beeville-Jones, coached by Felicia Ramirez, is 14-7 on the season after finishing second in District 26-4A and dispatching Stafford 49-35 in Friday’s bi-district matchup.
Thursday marks the second meeting between the teams this season. Navarro beat the Trojans 54-37 in non-district play back on Dec. 4.
The Panthers held Jones to 21 percent shooting and won the rebounding battle 32-21 in the first go-round.
The Trojans’ leading scorer, point guard Carrah Davis, only went 3-17 in that game. She averages 11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on the season. Junior forward Camryn Longoria has produced 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest.
Navarro’s statistical leaders include sophomore guards Tatum Harborth (14.9 ppg, 3.2 steals) and Laylin Sturm (12.7 ppg, 3.8 assists), and sophomore post Ryanne Hepp (7.0 ppg, 6.1 reb., .630 FT%).
Harborth led the Panthers with 14 points, six rebounds, and five steals in the December win over Jones, freshman guard Sienna Kramer added 11 points, and Hepp produced nine points and six rebounds. Sturm dished out five assists and came up with four steals.
Thursday’s playoff rematch in Kenedy is slated for a 5:30 p.m. opening tip. The game will air live on KWED 1580-AM and Seguintoday.com. Pre-game coverage starts at 5:20.