Stories by Brian Lester
Stories by Brian Lester
Navarre Raider basketball teams open district tourney play against Crestview
January 30, 2024
Navarre’s girls and boys basketball teams will begin District 1-6A tournament play next week, and both teams are matched up against Crestview.
Despite adversity, Raider girls basketball team continues to push ahead
January 30, 2024
Nayeli Brambila had cut Navarre’s deficit to six points early in the fourth quarter Monday night and gave Navarre’s girls basketball a ray of hope that a comeback win over Central was possible.
But back-to-back 3-pointers from the Jaguars dashed that hope as the Raiders suffered another tough loss in what has been a difficult season.
But back-to-back 3-pointers from the Jaguars dashed that hope as the Raiders suffered another tough loss in what has been a difficult season.
3A regional qualifiers for area weightlifting teams
January 29, 2024
The 3A regional weightlifting meet takes place this week and area teams will be well-represented there.
According to the unofficial list of qualifiers, Navarre has 18 in the Olympic division, led by district champion Izzy Zach. Zach is also a district champ in traditional, where the Raiders have a total of 19 lifters competing.
According to the unofficial list of qualifiers, Navarre has 18 in the Olympic division, led by district champion Izzy Zach. Zach is also a district champ in traditional, where the Raiders have a total of 19 lifters competing.
Brian Out Loud
January 29, 2024
When the new high school in the south end of Santa Rosa County opens its doors to students for the first time in 2026, it will be three floors, have 74 classrooms, CTE labs, a gym, a sports field house and athletic fields. It will have the capacity for 1,800 students.
What it won’t have are two things that would have benefitted high school athletics in this area in a big-time way. I’m talking about a swimming pool and a track with a rubberized surface.
What it won’t have are two things that would have benefitted high school athletics in this area in a big-time way. I’m talking about a swimming pool and a track with a rubberized surface.
It was Navarre’s night to shine against Gulf Breeze in district soccer semifinal
January 28, 2024
Overtime awaited after 80 exhausting minutes of fiercely competitive soccer against the No. 2 team in the state, the Navarre Raiders tied 2-2 with the rival Gulf Breeze Dolphins in a thrilling District 1-6A semifinal.
The players were out of breath, sore and tired, many of them with their hands on their sides as they listened to their coach, James Baccarini, who was fired up in the huddle as he spoke.
The players were out of breath, sore and tired, many of them with their hands on their sides as they listened to their coach, James Baccarini, who was fired up in the huddle as he spoke.
Navarre’s girls soccer team punches ticket to district final
January 27, 2024
Navarre’s girls soccer team has been waiting since last season for a chance to return to a District 1-6A championship game.
Eliminated in the semifinal round a year ago, the top-seeded Raiders didn’t let history repeat itself, rolling to a 4-0 win over Tate Friday.
Eliminated in the semifinal round a year ago, the top-seeded Raiders didn’t let history repeat itself, rolling to a 4-0 win over Tate Friday.
Raider rally attempt falls short against Bulldogs
January 26, 2024
Navarre’s boys basketball team kept it close against Crestview last Thursday night on the road.
The Raiders were within seven with just under five minutes to play in the game but couldn’t put together a rally, falling 75-61 to the Bulldogs.
The Raiders were within seven with just under five minutes to play in the game but couldn’t put together a rally, falling 75-61 to the Bulldogs.
Navarre’s boys soccer team opens district tourney with win
January 26, 2024
After winning only five games total the last two years, Navarre’s boys soccer team is trending up.
The Raiders won their ninth game of the season Thursday night with a 2-0 shutout win over Milton at Bennett C Russell Stadium in a District 1-6A quarterfinal.
The Raiders won their ninth game of the season Thursday night with a 2-0 shutout win over Milton at Bennett C Russell Stadium in a District 1-6A quarterfinal.
Navarre Raiders finish as district runner-up in girls weightlifting
January 26, 2024
Dasia Wilder didn’t win a district championship Thursday in Niceville, but the junior weightlifting standout for the Navarre Raiders did earn runner-up honors in the traditional competition in the unlimited class.
For Wilder, it’s a big deal, especially being just her second year as a lifter. And her effort helped Navarre finish second as a team in both traditional and Olympic and take the first step towards state.
For Wilder, it’s a big deal, especially being just her second year as a lifter. And her effort helped Navarre finish second as a team in both traditional and Olympic and take the first step towards state.
Latest look at FHSAA regional basketball rankings
January 23, 2024
Here are the FHSAA regional rankings that were released Tuesday. The top eight teams in 6A will make the regional tournament while the top four teams in 1A will earn a regional berth.
















