By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
The 2018-19 high school basketball season gets under way tonight as Okarche travels to Preston for the team’s road opener.
The Warriors roll into the new year looking to capitalize with six seniors and two juniors on the roster. Ray West’s squad will have plenty of leadership and experience, both at guard and forward.
Cris Avila, Mason Bomhoff, Kendon Brown, Kalen McCarthy, Tucker Neuenschwander and Lathen Stover lead Okarche into the season as the team’s seniors. Kaleb Harris and Kody King follow in line as the team’s juniors as well as sophomores Logan Kroener, Joseph Schaefer and Tyler Schwarz. Osbaldo Barcenas, Evan Endres, Trenton Neiderer, Cody Read and Brayden Stover will be the team’s freshmen.
“The guys have been working really hard in practice and we have a few guys stepping into the role of leader,” West said. “This roster has a lot of talent and we believe we have a chance to win some ball games and ultimately reach our goal of making the playoffs.”
Following the teams season opener at Preston, Okarche opens the home slate against Lomega on Tuesday, the team’s first of eight home games. The Warriors will also take on Dale, Watonga, OCA, Oklahoma Bible Academy, Hennessey, Amber-Pocasset and Cashion at home this season.
The team’s seven road games include Preston, Dover, Calumet, OCA, Cordell, Thomas and Crescent.
The Warriors will also play in the Garber Tournament, the Three Rivers Conference Tournament in Enid and the Coyle Tournament before postseason play starts with the District Tournament on Feb. 7.
“It’s going to be a fun season,” West said.
“The team has come together in the off season and is really looking forward to getting this thing started. We’ll round into shape as the season gets going, but we’re excited. It’s always fun to tip things off.”
Okarche went 21-8 last season, falling to Southwest Covenant in the Area finals at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.
Bomhoff and Avila are set as well. The team’s seniors have one goal in mind, something that has been a dream of theirs over the last three years.
“It’s exciting and we’re ready to start,” Bomhoff said. “We’ve been playing together for a long time now and we’ve always had a dream of making state. There are a lot of good players on this team and we believe we can do it.”
