By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
Tyson Endres and Emma Stover have the kind of chemistry that only time can establish.
The Okarche senior duo is the latest in a long lineage of skilled, versatile front court players to come from Okarche. Like almost all of the Lady Warriors’ previous stars, Stover and Endres are home grown talents. They’ve lived and breathed Okarche basketball since elementary school.
“They remember sitting up in the stands and cheering for the players before them and that’s how you keep tradition going at a program,” head coach Haley Mitchel said.
Now, it’s their turn to inspire the next generation of Lady Warriors. Endres and Stover will take their last shot at bringing home Okarche’s first state title since 2014. But, first, Okarche (19-5) has to make it back to Oklahoma City.
The Lady Warriors’ path there begins Saturday night when No. 7 Okarche will play for a district title at home against either Canton or Ninnekah. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
“We’re focused on taking it one game at a time,” head coach Haley Mitchel said.
Stover and Endres know better than almost anyone what it takes to make it to state.
As young kids, they almost never missed a Lady Warriors game, especially in the playoffs. They can rattle off names from the past like they’re describing members of their own family. Kenadey Grellner and Madison Lee, both quickly replied when asked who some of their favorite players were growing up. Lee and Grellner were star players on Okarche’s back-to-back state championship teams in 2013 and 2014.
“When I was little, all I ever wanted to do was be like them,” Stover said.
In elementary school, Endres even wrote notes to Grellner and Lee to express how much she admired them. Now, Lee stops by practice from time to time to check in on the team.
“When that happens it’s like, oh my gosh, a legend has just walked in the gym,” Endres said. “She will give us great advice, especially on our defense.”
STRONGER TOGETHER
Stover and Endres’ friendship traces back to third grade, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. If Stover is somewhere, Endres probably isn’t far away.
“We have the same kind of personalities. We mesh really well together,” Stover said.
On the floor, they’re nearly impossible to stop. Stover, the reigning Three Rivers Conference MVP, is a 6-foot tall forward that leads Okarche in scoring. Endres is a little under 6-feet tall, but also plays forward. She scores in double figures for OHS.
“Them playing together for so many years is a huge strength for us,” Mitchel said.
They work together to get each other open shots, and if one misses a shot, the other is usually there for the put back attempt. Individually, they’re good players, but as a tandem they are on another level.
“We’re a powerhouse together,” Endres said.
On the rare occasion one or the other is having an off night, they can count on words of encouragement from the other.
“She’s my person I look to when I might be struggling,” Endres said. “I’m beyond thankful to be able to play with her.”
In the state quarterfinals last season, Endres came off the bench to rescue the Lady Warriors in tough game against Garber. She made six straight shots, all in the fourth quarter as OHS rallied to win.
“I was like, OK, I guess I’ll keep shooting,” she said.
Stover, of course, was the first one there to congratulate her.
Their careers, along with fellow seniors Jalie Rother and Abigayle Johnson, are already success stories. The Lady Warriors are a combined 87-20 over the last four years with two trips to the state semifinals, but none of them are quite satisfied, yet.
“This is our last chance to get everything we’ve always wanted and for all of our dreams to come true,” Stover said.
“I want this for all 11 of us and the coaches because we’ve put so much work in,” Endres added. “This is the part where you get to take it in and enjoy it.”
