By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
Tucker Neuenschwander represented Okarche in fine fashion last week, doubling up on postseason events by playing in the 2019 Woodward K 101 Bowl and the Little All-City game last Wednesday and Thursday.
Neuenschwander scored 12 points and pulled down three rebounds with two assists in the Woodward K 101 Bowl, competing with and against players from northwest Oklahoma, the Texas panhandle and southwest Kansas.
The former Okarche senior followed up Thursday with five points in the Little All-City game at El Reno High School.
The experience of playing in All-City or All-Star games was great according to Neuenschwander. But for Tucker’s mom, Kelly, who is now the varsity cheer coach at Okarche, the fellowship between her son and his former rivals stuck out the most.
“It was fun getting to see him play and compete against the boys from Cashion and Kingfisher,” she said. “That’s always a big rivalry, especially with Cashion, but it was great to see them put aside those feeling and just go out and have fun and compete with each other. Those kids battle against each other all year and they finally got to know one another and really hit it off.”
Ray West, Okarche head coach, praised his former senior who nearly averaged a double-double for the Warriors during the 2018-19 season while helping guide the team to the Class A state semifinals.
“Tucker is just a great kid and he deserves all that’s come to him this year,” West said. “It’s kids like him that work hard that really deserve good things. I’m really proud of him this year, getting to make state and then with the postseason recognitions.”
Neuenschwander averaged double digits scoring during the 2018-19 season and nearly pulled down 10 rebounds per game. He helped guide the Warriors to the 2019 Class A semifinals where they fell to eventual champion Cyril at the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.
