Colt Brauns buried a 3-pointer. Aaden Jackson coasted through the lane for a layup. And just like that Navarre’s boys basketball team had shaken off a tough start and seized the moment against Gulf Breeze in a District 1-6A quarterfinal Tuesday night.

Noah Chin scored late in the fourth quarter, helping to put the finishing touches on Navarre’s 52-44 comeback win over Jay Friday night, his basket sending the student section that adores him into a frenzy.


Chin smiled. Sure, these past four years haven’t been easy. But on this night, he and his fellow Raiders had something to smile about, and it’s clear the direction of the program is trending up.

Navarre’s shot at 22 wins in the regular season in girls basketball was denied last Thursday night.


In a playoff-like battle against the Jay Royals, the Raiders fell short, 45-41, in a hard-fought game featuring two of the best teams in the state.

They poured off the bench riding a wave of excitement, their feeling of accomplishment undeniable, joining their Navarre Raider teammates who were already on the court as the clock hit zero.


Beating Niceville is a big deal, especially this year.