By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
The Lady Warriors overcame a slow start Friday night, rallying back in the second half for a 44-32 season-opening win over Class 2A Preston.
Senior Rachel McDowell scored a game-high 16 points, including seven in the third quarter as Okarche escaped a first-half deficit with a 15-7 run to all but seal the game. McDowell also led all players with eight rebounds and went 4-for-8 from three-point range.
The Lady Warriors fell behind early, going just 3-for-13 from the field in the first eight minutes. However, McDowell and senior Marlo Hunt helped swing momentum back in Okarche’s favor with two triples apiece in the second quarter, cutting Preston’s lead to 21-20 at halftime.
Okarche turned things around in the second half both offensively and defensively. After turning the ball over 11 times in the first two quarters, coach Kelli Jennings’ team cleaned up its act with just five giveaways down the stretch. They also forced 10 turnovers after the break.
Senior Raegan Robinson, junior Madison Owens and sophomore Karsyn Vallerand combined for eight points to go along with McDowell’s seven in the third quarter. Robinson drilled two free throws followed by a deuce from Vallerand to grab the lead early in the quarter.
The Lady Warriors held on to the lead the rest of the way. Robinson finished with nine points, Vallerand finished with six and Owens finished with five.
Okarche’s defense dominated in the second half, limiting the Pirates to just 11 points on 4-for-22 shooting over the final 16 minutes. The Lady Warriors also won the rebound battle 26-11 while grabbing 11 boards on the offensive end. Robinson and Owens each pulled down six rebounds while Vallerand grabbed four.
The win marked not just the first of the season for Okarche, but also the first in the school’s new, state of the art gymnasium.
The late Okarche boys coach Ray West was also honored following the girls game and prior to the boys.
The Lady Warriors return home Tuesday night to host Calumet before hitting the following week to take on Harding Fine Arts in Oklahoma City. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m.
