By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
The Warriors made it two straight to start the season, knocking off Lomega 73-59 in front of a packed house Tuesday night in Okarche.
It was a tail of a hot start and a strong finish for Ray West’s squad.
Okarche jumped out to 23-11 lead after the first eight minutes, fueled by a 9-2 run to start the quarter and a 8-2 run to close it. Senior Cris Avila scored nine of his game-high 27 points in the period, including a three-pointer to open the game.
Lomega regrouped in the second quarter before making things interesting after halftime.
The Warriors entered the break with a 40-27 lead, however the Raiders cut the lead to five with a 8-2 run to close out the third quarter.
Okarche’s pressure was too much down the stretch, however, as the Warriors closed the game out scoring 20 points while holding Lomega to 11. Avila scored eight points to help spur the final run.
The Warriors out-classed Lomega on the boards, winning the rebounding battle 36-20, including 14 on the offensive glass. Senior Kendon Brown pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive end. Senior Lathen Stover finished with six boards while Avila finished with five. Altogether Okarche’s work led to 17 second-chance points.
Okarche went 7-for-20 from three-point range in the game, led by Avila’s three makes from beyond the arc.
Brown and junior Kaleb Harris each chipped in 10 points on the offensive end while Stover finished with nine. The Warriors shot 49-percent from the field in the game and averaged just over a point per possession.
On the defensive end, Okarche didn’t make things easy for the Raiders, forcing 17 turnovers with 15 steals. Avila led the team with three takeaways while Brown finished with two and senior Tucker Neuenschwander and freshman Evan Endres each finished with one.
Okarche will look to keep the hot start to the season going Friday at Dover before traveling to Calumet next Tuesday.
