By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
COYLE – No. 9 Okarche opened the first round of the 2019 Coyle Invitational with a blowout.
The Warriors jumped out to a 24-2 lead over Class B Oilton and never looked back, on rout to a 65-17 win at Coyle last Thursday.
Okarche entered halftime with a 34-9 lead after a 10-7 run in the second quarter. The Warriors outscored Oilton, 20-4 in the third quarter, all but sealing the victory, before a 11-4 run in the fourth.
Junior Marlo Hunt led the Warriors with 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting, including 4-for-6 from three-point range. Junior Rachel McDowell scored seven points on 2-for-6 shooting while going 1-for-3 from the free-throw line. Senior Jade Owens and freshman Savannah Mingus each scored seven points while senior Kassidy Rother and sophomore Madison Owens scored six apiece.
The Warriors pulled down 24 rebounds in the game, including 11 on the offensive end. Madison Owens and Mingus each led the team with five rebounds while Jade Owens grabbed three. Freshman Karsyn Vallerand and Hunt each grabbed two boards.
Okarche forced multiple turnover on 25 steals and nine deflections. Junior Raegan Robinson and Jade Owens led the way with five takeaways while Madison Owens finished with four.
The win marked the fourth straight for the Warriors, following a win over Class 2A Hennessey on Jan. 22. The team improved to 16-5.
Coach Kelli Jennings’ team returns to action Friday for a top-10 matchup with Class 2A No. 9 Amber-Pocasset before the final game of the regular season Tuesday against Class 2A No. 7 Cashion.
