Corsicana —
The Navarro Runnin’ Bulldogs are about as loose as a basketball team can be right now.
They showed it again Friday morning at an appearance at Collins Catholic School.
Five Navarro sophomores spent an hour playing in a basketball game with seventh and eighth graders at Collins Catholic as part of the school’s annual “Battle of the Hallway” during catholic schools week.
It was a chance for the players to get away from school and enjoy the enthusiasm of youth.
“It’s fun getting around and having fun with these kids,” said point guard Harrison Hawkins, who scored a team-high 16 points in Navarro’s 69-59 victory over No. 18 Kilgore on Wednesday. “It’s important for us to give back to the community.”
Navarro has another important game on the schedule Saturday. The Runnin’ Bulldogs (18-4, 1-0) play their closest pursuer in Region XIV for the second time this week, this time Tyler (17-4, 8-3), which vaulted into second place in the East Zone on Wednesday with a 60-54 victory over Bossier Parish.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs continue to be motivated by the fact they haven’t been ranked since the first two NJCAA polls of the season despite winning 15 of their last 16 games.
“We’re still getting zero respect,” said forward David Woodard, who had eight points against Kilgore.
Johnny Estelle’s program gets plenty of respect around the community. Assistant coach Brian Crawford was with the team Friday at Collins Catholic and spoke to a jam-packed gym full of students and parents.
Navarro players also have played basketball with students at the Texas Youth Commission, the former state home.
The players had a blast Friday, making moves off the dribble similar to ones you’ll see the Harlem Globetrotters entertain fans with on their tours.
“It’s a good thing to get kids smiling,” forward Aaron Turner said.
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Members of the Navarro College Basketball Teams visited James L. Collins Catholic School Friday for the annual 'Battle of the Halls.' Daily Sun photos/Ron Farmer
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Navarro Hoops: Bulldogs take part in Collins Catholic ‘Battle of Hallway’
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