(Floresville) – Almost a year after Bear Ortiz’s buzzer-beating jumper gave Navarro a 50-48 win over Beeville-Jones in the 2021 4A area playoffs, the Panthers and Trojans are set to meet again in the second round of the 2022 bracket, this time at Floresville High School on Friday.
Navarro enters the matchup with a 30-6 record in head coach Darrell Harborth’s 24th season after finishing second in District 27-4A and cruising through the bi-district round with a 61-29 win over Wimberley on Monday.
Beeville-Jones, ranked No. 6 in the TGCA’s state poll for Class-4A and No. 12 by the TABC, is 30-2 after an undefeated run to the District 26-4A title and 70-42 thrashing of Bay City in Monday’s bi-district game. The Trojans, coached by Felicia Ramirez, own a 10-game winning streak and haven’t tasted defeat since a tournament loss to Flour Bluff on Dec. 28.
Navarro can advance to the regional quarterfinals for the third consecutive season with a win.
Junior guards Tatum Harborth and Laylin Sturm, the Co-MVPs of their district a year ago, lead the Panthers with scoring averages of 13.3 and 11.9 points per game, respectively. Harborth is the team’s steals leader (3.4, while Sturm paces Navarro in assists (3.7). Sophomore post Taylor Helms and junior forward Ryanne Hepp average 5.9 and 5.5 rebounds, respectively.
Junior guard Carrah Davis paces Beeville-Jones offensively with a 17.7 scoring average. Sophomore Kaydence Menchaca (9.6 ppg) and junior Cylee Lopez (9.6 ppg, 3.4 apg, 3.9 spg) have been major contributors as well.
Both teams flourish when they can use defensive pressure to generate turnovers and score in transition. The Trojans average 19.7 steals per game as a team, the Panthers 15.4.
Friday’s matchup in Floresville is set for a 7 p.m. opening tip. The game will air live on KWED 1580-AM and Seguintoday.com. Pre-game coverage starts at 6:45.