By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
‘Just one more game,’ Okarche’s P.K. Harris said.
The senior forward barely had time to shower and change clothes but was already focused on what was next.
Minutes earlier, Harris and his Okarche teammates had polished off an 81-61 victory over 11th-ranked Velma-Alma behind a game-high 21 points from Harris, who was joined in double figures by four other Warriors.
But the only thing on Harris’ mind was what’s still to be accomplished.
“I want to get to the Big House. That’s my plan,” Harris said.
With its regional title on Saturday night, Okarche won its 12th game in a row and moved to within one victory of earning a highly coveted trip to the ‘Big House’ for the Class A state tournament.
“We were really rolling tonight,” head coach Aaron West said. “The they kind of hit us in the mouth a little bit.”
The Warriors withstood a 21-3 first-half run from the Comets then turned up the pressure in the second half and pulled away by limiting V-A to only 23 points in the second half after the Comets scored 20 in the first quarter alone. Okarche forced 25 turnovers that led to 27 points.
“We got back on them and didn’t let off,” Harris said. “We just don’t let up.”
Freshman Jett Mueggenborg scored 18 points and dished out five assists while fellow freshman Easton Roby added 13 and eight rebounds. Wyatt Pinkerton also had 13 points and Hunter Mueggenborg scored 11 points while contributing a team-high seven assists. Okarche totaled 20 assists on 28 made baskets.
“It’s tough to stop when you’re sharing the ball like that,” West said. “Our pace has been really good and I think over the course of a game it really hurts our opponents.”
Harris worked around some early foul trouble to log six steals and five rebounds in 23 minutes. Okarche’s lone senior, Harris made 5 of 9 shots in the first half to help steady the Warriors after Velma-Alma’s big run.
“He played extremely well. Just his presence and energy out there tonight and his physical play was huge,” West said.
Next up, Okarche will face third-ranked Vanoss (22-3) in the Area tournament Friday in Shawnee.
“We hit another level tonight,” Harris said. “But we’ve still got another one to hit.”
Cameron Wiggins led the Comets (19-3) with 15 points.
