With another team-high scoring effort, Jett Mueggenborg dished in 24 points against Seiling and the Okarche Warriors claimed their spot at the state tournament Saturday night.
Okarche clipped Seiling 66-61 in a hard-fought game at Woodward Saturday night. Players jumped up and down in a huddle after the final buzzer as fans also rocked the Woodward gym with jubilation.
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The Okarche Warriors celebrate their area tournament championship and state tournament berth with fans after the final buzzer sounds Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 in a win over Seiling. (Photo by Johnny McMahan / Woodward News)
The first foe in the state tournament is Rattan.
The Warriors represent the storied program in the Class A boys basketball state tournament at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Oklahoma State Fair Arena.
Okarche with a win would advance to the 6 p.m. Friday game against the winner of Red Oak and Sentinel.
Okay v. Seiling is the 4:30 p.m. game Thursday followed by Drummond v. Caddo at 6 p.m.
Read The Okarche Warrior for full coverage of state tournament action.
18th trip to the big house
Rattan will be a tough matchup
Coach Aaron West’s team lost to Rattan at the state tournament last year 75-60.
“So we face each other two straight years in the first round,” West said. “They have four of their top six back with a talented front guard. They have been ranked #2 all year long.”
West said, it is a “tough matchup for both teams first round since we are ranked #4 and they are ranked #2. That’s how it plays out, though. If we play with confidence we can play with anyone.”
West said the Warriors have experience.
“And we have a great team this year. We got a taste last year and we know what it is about. We know what we have to do to win and play with passion and heart. We are on a business trip this year and we have to stay focused. Take it one possession at a time. The tournament is loaded with good teams with seven out of eight teams making a return trip. If we play like we are capable I love our chances.”
The team will be in a tough battle that does not tip off until 9 p.m. Thursday.
“At this point everyone is good. So are we. I love our team’s competitiveness and their relentless effort. They beat a very good team in Seiling to get here and go in as a winner with is very tough to do. I super proud of our guys to get back to state 2 straight years. 88 teams are sitting at home right now. So it’s an honor to still be playing. I love coaching this group and they have brought it everyday this year in practice to get where they need to be. The fans have been great supporting us and we need everyone there Thursday night. If we execute, play defense, and rebound we will be tough to beat,” West said.
Girls season ends.
The Okarche High School Lady Warriors basketball team won their opening round of the Class A tournament at Woodward Thursday night and bowed out Friday with a loss to Garber.
Okarche lost 50-43 on Friday. Jadyn Rother had 14 points in the loss.
Their season ended with a 20-11 record under interim Coach Larry Black and assistant Superintendent Josh Sumrall after the departure of Coach Haley Mitchel earlier in the season.
The girls won 51-46 to advance on Thursday against Texhoma.
Jadyn Rother had 19 points in the win.
Scout Payne scored the first bucket of the second quarter for the Lady Warriors who went up 15-12. But the shooting went cold. Texhoma took a 19-15 lead with 3:45 left in the second quarter.
The girls were ahead of Texhoma 13-12 at the end of one quarter.
Payne tied the game at 19-19 on a layup after weaving through traffic in the lane. The second half ended in a 22-22 tie.
The boys game was set for a tip-off of 7:30 p.m. Friday against Seiling in the area tournament at Woodward.
Read The Okarche Warrior for sports coverage.
