By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
SHATTUCK – Okarche’s girls backs were against the wall for a second straight game with a spot in the 2019 Class A Area tournament on the line.
And for a second straight game, the Warriors prevailed, knocking off Beaver, 60-45 to punch their ticket to Area last Saturday at Shattuck High School.
Okarche jumped out to a 22-19 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, extending the lead to 38-30 at halftime. The Warriors again added to their advantage with a 13-8 run in the third quarter before sealing the victory with 9-7 run in the final eight minutes.
Three players scored in double figures for the Warriors, including junior Marlo Hunt who scored a team-high 16 points. She scored seven points in the first quarter and nine more in the second to fuel the Warriors in the first half, drilling three triples and five free throws along the way.
Junior Raegan Robinson scored 12 points, all on three-pointers. She hit one in the first quarter then helped spark the team in the third quarter with three makes from beyond the arc. Junior Rachel McDowell chipped in 11 points, scoring seven in the first half, two points in the third quarter and then four in the fourth to help seal the win.
Sophomore Madison Owens scored nine points with two three-pointers while senior Kassidy Rother scored seven on one three and pair of two-point makes. Senior Jade Owens scored three points and freshman Karsyn Vallerand scored two.
Rylie Schlessman scored a game-high 21 points for the Dusters. Zoe Weaver chipped in 16.
The Warriors now move on to face Glencoe in the opening round of the Area tournament consolation bracket, tipping off at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Enid Event Center.
With a win, Okarche would face the winner between Shattuck and Waukomis for a spot in the Area championship game with a spot at State on the line.
