By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
The eighth-ranked Warriors extended their win streak to four games Friday night in front of a homecoming crowd at the Okarche Basketball Gymnasium.
Coach Ray West and his staff emphasized spreading the ball around offensively in practice last week and it showed as five double-digit scorers helped spur the team to a 93-48 win over Class 2A Watonga.
Senior Tucker Neuenschwander led the way with a near double-double, finishing with a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds. Junior Kaleb Harris chipped in 16 points with five assists while seniors Cris Avila and Kalen McCarthy each scored 11 points, Avila finishing with a game-high seven assists. Senior Lathen Stover scored 10 points and grabbed seven boards. Freshman Evan Endres nearly made it six in double digits with nine points.
West also emphasized rebounding during last week’s workouts. And it paid off as the Warriors out-rebounded the Eagles, 44-33, including 16 offensive rebounds.
Neuenschwander’s nine boards came with three on the offensive glass as well as six of Stover’s seven. Avila finished with five boards while senior Kendon Brown finished with four. Harris and sophomore Tyler Schwarz each grabbed three.
The Warriors scored 42 points beyond the arc, drilling 14 of 36 attempts from three-point range. Neuenschwander drilled four three pointers while Avila and Harris each hit three.
West was also able to extend his bench in order to get players needed experience that could come in handy during the second half of the season or even in the postseason.
Okarche scored 20 points off the bench and played all 14 players. Endres led the way with nine points off the bench while Brown and Schwarz each scored four. Freshman Cody Read scored three points. Sophomore Joseph Schaefer pulled down three rebounds while freshmen Trenton Neiderer, Osbaldo Barcenas and Brayden Stover each grabbed one board.
The Warriors return to action Friday night at home, hosting No. 20 Oklahoma Christian Academy in a rematch from earlier this season. OCA won the first meeting, 71-69 in overtime.
Trey Hunter is the sports editor for the Okarche Warrior and the Piedmont-Surrey Gazette. He can be reached by email at sports@piedmontnewsonline.com or by phone at 405-659-9898 for story suggestions or comments.
