Navarro downs Apaches at Wagstaff

Box Score:  https://www.apacheathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/boxscores/20240214_6krp.xml?view=boxscore

Phil Hicks, Tyler Morning Telegraph

The Apaches prefer for games to in the 50s like last month's 52-48 win over Navarro in Corsicana, while the Bulldogs like contests in the 90s.

The point totals split the difference with Navarro capturing a 76-71 win over Tyler Junior College on Wednesday in a Region XIV basketball game at Wagstaff Gymnasium.

"Several guys on our bench — really we don't call it a bench. We have two good groups of kids trying to do what we ask," TJC Coach Mike Marquis said. "It was good to see BJ (Hooper Jr.), Jacyn (Jones-Taylor) score the ball a little bit — especially in Jacyn's case it had been a while since he played that well and that aggressive. Also Brandon Walker did a good job, including Sammon (Johnson).

"The whole group played well ... just felt at least toward the last two or three minutes we didn't make a couple of baskets and free throws that would have helped. It wasn't because we were not trying to do. We didn't get a couple of rebounds that allowed them to keep possession. It was a physical game like you expect and I thought our kids handled that well. (Navarro) made a couple of big shots and made their free throws down the stretch."

The Apaches did get a standout performance from Hooper, a freshman from Irving. The 6-0 point guard hit for 17 points.

Other scorers for Tyler were JJ Louden (10), Jones-Taylor (9), Walker (9), Jermontae Hill (7), Dariyus Woodson (6), Hudson Anderson (6), Jonah Nesmith (5) and Johnson (2).

The Tribe was 10 of 14 at the free throw line and 7 of 19 from 3-point (Louden, 3; Hooper, 1; Nesmith, 1; Woodson, 1; Hill, 1).

Hill had eight rebounds with seven from Anderson, who also had two blocks.

Ronnie Harrison led the Bulldogs with 14 points, while Mikey West and Trae Clayton added 11 points apiece.

Also scoring for Navarro were Jourdyn Granberry (8), Charles Yao Jr. (8), Evan Smith (7), Colby Henderson (7), Cardell Bailey (6) and Antoine Lorick (4).

The Bulldogs were 11 of 15 at the free throw line and 9 of 20 from 3-point (West, 3; Grandberry, 2; Smith, 1; Henderson, 1; Bailey, 1; Yao, 1).

Clayton led Navarro with seven boards with Harrison adding six.

Navarro had 10 turnovers the Apaches had 11 miscues.

Navarro led 46-45 at halftime.

In other results on Wednesday: Kilgore 61, Panola 59; Victoria 94, Lamar State 87; Bossier Parish 74, Paris 73; Blinn 85, Coastal Bend 70; and  Lee 106, Jacksonville 65.