From Staff Reports
The Okarche High School girls and boys basketball teams have played one game, a win for each team.
But the season has been interrupted by COVID-19.
All activities have been canceled until after Nov. 30 with the school on a virtual learning plan off campus for grades 7th through 12th. The rest of the season could also change.
For the girls’ team, the Lady Warriors fell behind early against Preston but came back to hold on and win their season opener in overtime on Friday, Nov. 6.
The Warriors first year head coach is Haley Mitchel. She got her first win 60-52 at Preston.
“We got behind. We didn’t take our first lead until overtime,” Mitchel said. “I think we had a lot of nerves, and being the first game of the season that is expected. I’m proud of them, even after being behind the entire game they fought and fought to climb their way back in.”
Junior Karsyn Vallerand, who suffered a season-ending ACL knee injury last season, scored 30 points, 23 of those in the second half and overtime.
“She played very well and moved very well and has worked so hard in the off-season even with COVID to get in the training that she needed,” Mitchel said.
Mitchel had previously coached at Okarche with her mother, Cherie Myers, who coached 2001 to 2017.
Preston opened a 7-0 lead in the first quarter of the game Nov. 6, but the Lady Warriors sealed it in overtime.
The boys also won their opener that night against Preston by a score of 64-60.
The teams had games canceled after Nov. 6 through Nov. 30.
Games missed may be rescheduled this year.
Coach Mitchel was busy with a virtual workout during an afternoon this week. She took a moment to talk about the team’s start.
Coach Mitchel said she prepared a shooting workout, a running workout and a conditioning workout that they can do at home to keep in shape when not in-person.
“That’s our goal. We are trying,” Mitchel said.
Some of the games missed could be rescheduled, she said.
The players have endured well with the pandemic, she said.
“With their school work, and basketball, they are all working very hard and I’m very proud of them. They have stayed on top of schoolwork and are dedicated to doing the best they can,” Mitchel said.
Games that had been on the schedule include Dec. 1, home, Watonga; Dec. 4, at Fairview; Dec. 8, home, Harding Fine Arts; Dec. 10-12, Garber Tournament; Dec. 15, home, Oklahoma Bible Academy; Jan. 5, at Cordell; Jan. 7-9, Three Rivers Conference Tournament at Fairview; Jan. 15 at Thomas; Jan. 19 home, Hennessey; Jan. 21-23, Coyle Tournament; Jan. 26, at Crescent; Feb. 5, Amber-Pocasset, home, Feb. 9, Cashion, home; Feb. 11-13, district; Feb. 18-20, regional; Feb. 25-27, area; March 4-6, state tournament.
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