By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
The eighth-ranked Warriors scored 34 points in the third quarter last Saturday night on rout to a 30-point win and a spot in the 2019 Class A Regional tournament winners bracket.
Okarche dominated Ringwood, winning 84-52 with five players in double-digits scoring and a near triple-double. The Warriors jumped out to a 20-12 lead after the first eight minutes and didn’t look back, extending it to 35-23 at halftime and 69-36 after the third quarter. Ringwood tried to battle back late, but it wasn’t enough as coach Ray West’s team cruised to the victory.
Senior Cris Avila nearly recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. He went 4-for-13 from the field and 5-for-7 from the free-throw line. Senior Lathen Stover led the Warriors with 18 points on 8-for-9 shooting while pulling down five rebounds.
Senior Tucker Neuenschwander scored 16 points with eight boards, freshman Evan Endres scored 15 points and junior Kaleb Harris chipped in 11.
The Warriors shot just 39-percent from the field but quickly turned it around in the second half, shooting 61-percent down the stretch and 50-percent for the game.
The team went 12-for-34 from three-point range and 10-for-18 from the free-throw line.
Okarche held the Red Devils to just 28-percent shooting while forcing 21 turnovers. Ringwood hit just two from long range, but drilled 24 free-throws.
The Warriors dominated on the boards, winning the battle, 37-26.
They pulled down 11 on the offensive end and 26 on the defensive end, holding Ringwood to zero second-chance points and just 14 points off turnovers.
The win marks the seventh straight for the Warriors who enter the 2019 Regional tournament red hot.
The Regional tournament kicks off Thursday, February 14, 2019 with Okarche taking on host Shattuck at 8 p.m. for a spot in the regional title game and an automatic bid for the Area tournament.
With a win, Okarche would play Saturday at 8 p.m. against either Laverne or Turpin. With a loss, the team with play Friday at 3 p.m. against either Seiling or Texhoma.
