By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
OKARCHE – The Lady Warriors cruised to a district championship Saturday in front of their home crowd.
Fourth-ranked Okarche (25-7) routed Moss 88-54 in the teams’ first game of the Class A Girls Basketball Championship Series. The Lady Warriors advanced to the winners bracket of the regional tournament with the victory and are now potentially just five games away from the state tournament.
It was a blowout from the start as Okarche jumped out to a 22-5 lead after the first eight minutes and entered halftime with a 42-9 advantage. The Lady Warriors tacked on in the second half with a 26-15 run in the third quarter and a 20-10 run in the fourth.
Five players scored in double digits for coach Kelli Jennings’ squad. Senior Rachel McDowell led the team with 18 points while senior Marlo Hunt and freshman Emma Stover each finished with 14 points. Senior Raegan Robinson scored 12 points while freshmen Jalie Rother and Tyson Endres each scored 11. Sophomore Ryne Wittorck chipped in eight points as well.
The Lady Warriors move on to face Soper (19-8) in the first game at regionals tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Moss. Soper defeated Weleetka 41-38 in their district final matchup last week.
The winner moves on to face either Ft. Cobb-Broxton (24-5) or Crowder (26-4) in the regional championship game scheduled for Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
With just one win, the Lady Warriors would also stake claim to a spot in the area tournament Feb. 27-29 at Bethel Acres.
Two teams advance from area to the state tournament March 5-7 at Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City.
