Cashion, Okarche teams win at Garber
It wasn’t Okarche’s best shooting night, but it was enough to win.
The Warriors made just 23 percent of their shots, but the defense stiffened to help provide a 42-37 victory over Ripley in the first round of the NextEra Energy Resources Invitational at Garber.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well, but the Warriors got off 21 more attempts than Ripley.
That was due in part to Okarche’s 14 steals and 26 overall forced turnovers.
The game was back and forth as Ripley led at the end of the first and third quarters while Okarche had its advantage at halftime and then closed on an 11-5 run.
The Warriors got 12 points from Evan Endres and 11 from Brayden Stover.
Logan Kroener had eight points and also grabbed six of the team’s steals.
The Warriors played Class A defending state champion - and currently second-ranked - Garber in Friday’s semifinal (after press time).
Cashion begins defense of boys’ title
Jonah Jenkins nearly pulled off a triple-double as Cashion’s boys began their defense of the tournament title.
The junior guard was one of three Wildcats to score 20 or more in the team’s 74-54 quarterfinal win Thursday over Newkirk.
Jenkins scored 20 points, dished out nine assists and had a team-high seven rebounds as well.
Jenkins was 8 of 14 from the field and made three 3-pointers.
His cousin Vance Raney nailed 4 of 7 from long range and also scored 20 points.
Meanwhile Austin Frazier knocked down 22 points on 11 of 16 shooting.
Cashion dominated the first and third quarters, outscoring the Tigers 46-18 in those periods.
Cashion (3-0), ranked second in 2A, played No. 6 Hooker in Friday’s semifinal (after press time).
Lady Wildcats, Lady Warriors set up semifinal clash
Cashion and Okarche made sure to set up their first of - potentially - multiple matchups this season.
Both squads won openers Thursday in the tournament and were scheduled to meet in Friday’s semifinal round (after press time).
Cashion had the tougher time in the quarterfinals as it beat Tonkawa 44-35.
The Lady Wildcats got their lead in the second quarter when they broke open a tie game with a 10-3 run. They extended the lead to 11 points entering the fourth.
Lauren Lamb led all scorers with 16 points. Neely Tilley-Bedick added 10 as Cashion improved to 2-1.
Okarche dominated Crescent 68-21 for its victory.
The Lady Warriors were up 21-3 after a quarter and continued to expand it.
Madison Owens scored 12 points in that first-quarter spurt and ended her night with 15.
Emma Stover heated up to score all 17 of her points in the second half.
Okarche also got eight points apiece from Jadyn Rother and Jalie Rother.