Corsicana — It would be easy to focus on the brilliance of Matt Pressey, who for the second consecutive Saturday carried Navarro’s offense in an 81-61 victory over Lee College.
But Navarro coach Johnny Estelle wants his team to win with defense, and so it’s subtle plays like the one backup point guard Sam Ferguson made on the defensive possession after Pressey drained a 3-pointer in the first half that the Runnin’ Bulldogs coach doesn’t want his team to forget in March.
Ferguson, playing tenacious perimeter defense, forced a 5-second call against Lee guard Jekore Tyler. Navarro led 22-14 at the time and Pressey went down and made a mid-range jumper on the next possession for Navarro’s first double-digit lead. Lee would pull within single digits just once the rest of the game.
“Those kinds of plays not only get the crowd excited and the team excited,” Estelle said. “That gets into the mind of the opponent.”
Navarro held Lee to right around the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ season-average for points. Still, Estelle wants to see his team’s on-the-ball defense get better, even after Saturday’s solid defensive effort. Ferguson’s fight is an example of what Estelle wants to see more of, especially when the four-round regional tournament rolls around next month.
“Defense puts you in the championship game,” Estelle said. “You can shoot yourself past one or two rounds. But if you can guard people, you always have a chance. Defense always brings you together.”
Not that Estelle doesn’t want to see hot shooting, and Pressey was more than on the mark Saturday. A week after he scored 14 of Navarro’s final 16 points in a 61-60 loss to No. 12 San Jacinto here, Pressey scored a season-high 32 points.
He scored 23 of Navarro’s 40 first-half points. He made two 3-pointers and scored attacking the Lee basket.
Pressey poured in 19 of Navarro’s 20 points during a 19-9 run that gave the Runnin’ Bulldogs a 36-23 lead.
“Matt’s one of the best players in the league,” Estelle said. “He’s the best at contributing to a team-winning effort. I don’t know if there is a better one.”
Point guard Jantzen Carter had an efficient game with 12 points, mostly on mid-range jumpers. Shooting guard Greg Allen continued his consistent play with 14 points.
Navarro controlled the game inside as Chase Harper had nine points and Keith Denson had six. Denson’s scoring from close in the second half pushed Lee to the brink.
After an in-your-face dunk by Denson for a 73-53 lead with 5:34 left, the Rebels picked up three technical fouls. Allen made 4 of 6 free throws for a 77-53 lead. Lee had five technicals in the game.
Toughness for Navarro also showed up with the numerous charging fouls taken in the game.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs played with a winning attitude Saturday.
“Tough teams always have a chance to win,” Estelle said.
No. 24 Navarro 81, Lee College 61
Lee 25 36 — 61
Navarro 25 41 — 68
Lee — Josh Micheaux 2, Alex Scotland-Williamson 2, Jekore Tyler 16, Joshua Eleby 3, Kevin Johnson 3, Nick James 3, Antone Byrd 9, Greg Batieste 12, Cedric Martin 2, Jacob McDonald 9.
Navarro — Matt Pressey 32, Darian Thibodeaux 2, Sam Ferguson 2, Chase Harper 9, Greg Allen 14, Jourdain Allou 4, Jantzen Carter 12, Keith Denson 6.
Records — Lee 11-13, 5-8 in conference. Navarro 19-5, 9-4 in conference.
Region XIV scores
Paris 87, Bossier Parish 70
Kilgore 66, Panola 63
Tyler 76, Trinity Valley 67
Navarro 81, Lee 61
Jacksonville 90, San Jacinto 76
Lon Morris 73, Lamar State-PA 63
Blinn at Angelina *Tyler at Lee, lat
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