Okarche boys knock off Crescent for third place at Three Rivers Tournament in Enid
By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
No. 8 Okarche outscored Class 2A Crescent in all four quarter en route to the Three Rivers Conference Tournament consolation championship last Saturday at the CNB Center in Enid.
The Warriors jumped out to an early, 17-15 lead and never looked back as they closed out the Tigers, 66-51 for the team’s ninth victory in 10 games.
Four players scored in double digits for the Warriors, including senior Cris Avila who led the way with 17 points on 4-for-12 shooting from the field while going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. Junior Kaleb Harris finished with 15 points on 4-for-11 shooting, senior Lathen Stover finished with 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting and senior Tucker Neuenschwander finished with 10 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
Okarche shot 41-percent from the field as a team while going just 6-for-21 from three-point range. However, they did outscore the Tigers, 18-0 from long range. The Warriors also went 14-for-23 from the free-throw line.
Coach Ray West’s team won the rebound battle, 35-27 and forced 21 turnovers that led to 19 points.
Neuenschwaner led the team with nine boards, including six on the offensive end. Avila and senior Kalen McCarthy finished with six rebounds apiece while Stover grabbed five and Brown grabbed four.
Avila nearly finished with a double-double, leading the team with nine assists. McCarthy finished with five helpers while Neuenschwander finished with four. Avila also led the team with five steals while Neuenschwander nabbed three.
The Tigers shot 46-percent from the field, but went 0-for-9 from three-point range and just 9-for-14 from the free-throw line. Hunter Bowers led the team with 16 points while DeMarkus Kollie scored 13.
Okarche held Crescent to just six offensive rebounds.
Okarche’s win followed a second-round loss to Class 2A Cashion after an opening round win over Seeworth Academy on Thursday. The Warriors are now 13-4 on the season.
The Warriors hit the road again Friday for a match up against Thomas Friday before returning home to host Class 2A No. 2 Hennessey Tuesday night at the Okarche Basketball Gymnasium.
