Sports Archive

Although Navarre’s boys basketball team came up short in a game against Escambia Saturday afternoon, falling 62-54, head coach Taf Bentley was pleased with the way his team battled the entire way as it nearly rallied for a win.

Matt Cronin made his commitment to Arkansas official Monday, signing his national letter of intent with the Razorbacks.

The defending state champions looked the part in their first meet of the season in a resounding 77 – 9 victory over Fort Walton Beach at home on Nov. 12. The Raiders won every first place and all but one second place within each weight division.

The Raiders cruised to easy wins over district rivals Escambia (8 – 0) and Crestview (9 – 1). Their competition for the week came from Ocean Springs, Miss. Ocean Springs was state runner-up last season. The Raiders fought hard, winning a 3 – 1.

Some players wore looks of shock as they walked off the field Friday night. Others cried. Fans absorbed the loss in similar fashion.

Bekka Boyd’s focus heading into the 3A state swimming and diving meet was to advance past the first round of cuts.

Changing the culture of a team doesn’t happen overnight, although the foundation for that change can be laid long after the sun has gone down.

It could have unraveled in one moment.

After rolling over their first three opponents by a combined score of 23 – 0, the Raiders faced some stiff competition last week against Niceville, Mosley and Leon. After losing their first game against Niceville, they rebounded back and won a last-minute victory over Mosley and shut out Leon. Emily Madril continued her offensive barrage, scoring her 14th goal in six games.

Navarre head football coach Jay Walls said he has seen more athletes diagnosed with concussions in the past two to three years than he has at any other time in his 18-year coaching career.