By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
Seniors Cris Avila and Tucker Neuenschwander were each selected to the 2019 Class A Small West All-Star team by the Oklahoma Coaches Association last week.
Avila and Neuenschwander were two of Okarche’s top scorers and all around players during the team’s first State Tournament run since 2013. They helped lead the Warriors to a 25-6 record, including a 5-1 stretch during the postseason and a 5-1 record in conference play.
“Really proud of them, they’re great kids,” Okarche coach Ray West said of the Avila and Neuenschwander. “They are very deserving of the honor. They’re great kids to coach and good kids for the program. I never had to push them. They always practiced hard and did the extra things to prepare and be ready.”
Avila led the team in points, assists and steals during the 2018-19 season, averaging 17.6 points per game while totaling 143 assists and 120 takeaways. He was also named to the 2019 Small West All-State team by the OCA.
“He really worked hard at his game,” West said of Avila. “His leadership on the floor was big as well. His work ethic and how he went about his business was an example to the other players.”
Neuenschwander led the team in rebounding both offensively and defensively and nearly averaged a double-double. He scored 12.6 points and pulled down just over seven rebounds per game. He shot over 42-percent from the field and 74-percent from the free-throw line.
“Tucker made a lot of strides on both ends of the court,” West said of the senior forward.
“He continued to work hard and his offensive and defensive rebounding proved to be huge for us, especially during the postseason. I think his growth on the floor really helped make us a better team this season.”
The two players helped Okarche score just over 68 points per game while holding opponents to 52.5 per game. They also helped the team out-rebound opponents by 108.
Avila and Neuenschwander are joined by Kellen Hines (Fort Cobb-Broxton), Casen McLemore (Cyril), Mason Hart (Pond Creek-Hunter), Bryson Sherlin (Velma-Alma), Cord Morlan (Hyrdo-Eakly), Reece Alexander (Sterling), Albert Suarez (Cyril), Dane Duvall (Laverne), Kooper Boatright (Alex) and Osvaldo Lora (Ringwood) on the Class A Small West team.
