Charleston Flemming says he and his Navarro Runnin’ Bulldogs teammates are still trying to figure each other out. That’s not an abnormal part of the start of the junior college basketball season.
At least they’re not having to get used to a new coach, even if the Runnin’ Bulldogs have a new head coach — Johnny Estelle. Those who follow Navarro basketball know that Estelle was legendary coach Lewis Orr's right-hand man for the last eight seasons.
So throw all the old and the new in, and the Runnin’ Bulldogs feel pretty good about themselves heading into tonight's home opener against improved Hill College.
Navarro, picked third in Region XIV, showed their potential in a 85-82 win over Weatherford College on Saturday in its season opener, that despite trying to work in several new players and two sophomores that sat out last season. The Runnin' Bulldogs trailed until midway through the second half.
“We bonded pretty good,” Flemming said. “We started off real slow. We're starting to get to know each other.”
DeAndre Brown, one of Navarro’s key returnees, showed his leadership with 22 points in the opener.
Flemming, who started at point guard two years ago, is back running the team. Nathan Murray, a 6-6 sophomore from Fort Worth Dunbar, is back after a leg injury. They combined for 17 points in the season opener.
There are also new players breaking in to junior college basketball. Keithtrick Denson, a 6-8 post from Houston, had nine points in the opener. Gary Dalton, a 6-0 guard from DeSoto, had eight points. Freshman guard Matt Pressey, the son of former NBA player Paul Pressey, had 17 points
Chase Harper, a 6-5 forward from Pflugerville Connally, had nine points.
Estelle said he wants his team to run and score in the 80s on most nights, but his players say they see a coach who stresses team defense, specifically help defense.
“We're all about being a team,” Estelle said. “And part of that is playing tough defense.”
Local Sports
November 4, 2008
Navarro’s Estelle implementing fast-paced offense in first season
- Local Sports
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- High School Basketball Box scores Here are Friday night's high school basketball scores:
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Rice’s White, 4 from Mildred make Academic All-State
Rice middle linebacker Keith White said he’ll know sometime soon whether or not he’ll be the school’s valedictorian for the 2010 senior class.
He knows for certain he’s a Class 2A Academic All-State team member. -
Golden Circle girls basketball: Stealing one
DAWSON — Wortham coach Anthony Branch has been waiting all season for a victory to turn around the Lady Bulldogs’ season.
They might have gotten it Tuesday night. - GC Basketball Roundup: Keele, Kerens drill Rice, 60-22 Anna Keele had eight points and 10 rebounds as Kerens rolled past Rice, 60-22, on Tuesday night in Kerens.
- Tigers Soccer: Corsicana, Midlothian play to 0-0 draw John Garcia had 12 saves, including three at point blank range as the Tigers tied at No. 4 Midlothian, 0-0.
- Golden Circle Sports Schedule Here's a look at the Golden Circle Sports Schedule:
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Wills: Coming together
Every Friday night around 10 or so my Blackberry starts pinging, which means only one thing.
Basketball scores.
There was one this Friday night that kind of stunned me.
Wortham 90, Hubbbard 66. -
Lady Tigers soccer: CHS girls beat Jacksonville 2-1
The Corsicana Lady Tigers won at Jacksonville on Tuesday night, 2-1.
The first goal of the game was scored by Katy Driver and assisted by Aricelia Castaneda at the 25-minute mark. -
Navarro hoops: Team game
Johnny Estelle substituted in one of his bench players Wednesday night with a simple message — “Go out there and play for Navarro.”
It is a coach trying to mold a championship team. - Golden Circle Basketball Box scores Here's a look at the Golden Circle basketball box scores:
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