Better late than never
White’s bucket caps Okarche comeback
Better late than never![OKARCHE’S Logan White (32 above) and Ally Baustert (33 below) - both pictured playing in last year’s state tournament - played big roles in Okarche’s 35-33 comeback win over Seiling. [Photos by Chris Simon and Russell Stitt]](https://www.kingfisherpress.net/sites/kingfisherpress.etypegoogle10.com/files/styles/article400/public/3298b7c76d_Ar01701025.jpg?itok=_Q5LpOGo "OKARCHE’S Logan White (32 above) and Ally Baustert (33 below) - both pictured playing in last year’s state tournament - played big roles in Okarche’s 35-33 comeback win over Seiling. [Photos by Chris Simon and Russell Stitt]")
OKARCHE’S Logan White (32 above) and Ally Baustert (33 below) - both pictured playing in last year’s state tournament - played big roles in Okarche’s 35-33 comeback win over Seiling. [Photos by Chris Simon and Russell Stitt]
Okarche didn’t lead for long.
But the Lady Warriors did lead when it mattered most.
Logan White’s bucket with 5 seconds left on Friday lifted Okarche to a 35-33 victory over visiting Seiling, one that seemed improbable most of the night.
“We didn’t really deserve to win that one,” coach Brett Tahah said after Okarche shot just 38.9 percent overall, made one 3-pointer, committed 15 turnovers and blew multiple opportunities to tie the game earlier in the fourth quarter.
“But the girls never quit fighting,” she said.
The Lady Warriors were down by 7 with under 3:00 to play when Okarche finally grabbed some momentum.
Katie Parham’s bucket with 1:43 left got the Lady Warriors within 33-29.
Her steal and feed to Callie Cramer for a layup with 1:13 remaining got the Lady Warriors within two.
Seiling’s Baylee Chain had a chance to extend the lead, but missed a pair of free throws with just under 1:00 to play.
Okarche took advantage as Ally Baustert tied the game with a bucket with 44 seconds to go.
Baustert scored 4 of her 6 points in the fourth quarter.
Seiling then turned the ball over with 33.8 ticks left, giving Okarche the ball with a chance to run down the clock and go for the win.
It worked as Parham dribbled the clock down under 10 seconds, worked to White’s side and fed her in the post.
White knocked down the turnaround jumper for the game winner.
It was Okarche’s first lead since the opening minute of the game.
After Okarche scored first, Seiling went on an 8-2 run to close the quarter. The Ladycats led 17-9 at the half as Okarche struggled from the field.
Okarche closed the third quarter strong and twice had a chance to tie the game near the end of the quarter and early in the fourth, but miscues cut down those opportunities.
White led the team with 10 points.
Reese Robinson scored 9 and Baustert 6.
Seiling, ranked third in B-I, got 17 points from Lyndlea Nichols.
Okarche, ranked fifth in Class A, improved to 8-2.
The Lady Warriors overcame a tough shooting night on Thursday to down Watonga 42-34 on the road.
The game was tied entering the fourth before Okarche closed with a 12-4 run.
The Lady Warriors were just 13 of 40 (32.5 percent) from the field.
White did her part as she was 5 of 8 for her team-high 15 points.
Baustert and Parham scored 9 apiece while Cramer scored 7 to go with 10 rebounds.