Second time’s the charm for Lady Warriors at area

The biggest difference between the Okarche girls road to the state tournament between this year and last?

Coach Brett Tahah didn’t arrive at home and go into labor on Saturday night.

“I can just get some sleep this year,” the second- year Okarche coach said.

Sleep became easier after the Lady Warriors shrugged off a rough night in the Class A area title game to bounce back to beat Mooreland 52-43 in the consolation championship Saturday at Enid High School.

That gave the Lady Warriors their second consecutive trip to state and 33rd overall.

The fifth-ranked Lady Warriors had a chance to secure their spot on Friday, but the offense was essentially a no-show in a 39-24 loss to No. 4 Amber- Pocasset.

The Lady Warriors had just 2 points until more than midway through the second quarter and trailed 18-2 at one point.

The offense improved, but not enough to make a run at the Lady Panthers.

Still Okarche had one more shot, but would have to go through Mooreland for a second time.

The Lady Warriors barely escaped the Bearcats a week prior in a 4138 victory at home in the regional championship.

Mooreland survived the consolation bracket at area to earn the rematch.

It was a battle throughout.

Okarche outscored Mooreland 12-10 in each of the first three quarters.

Katie Parham spurred the early scoring with 7 points in the first quarter.

Over the next two frames, Callie Cramer and Emory West combined for five of Okarche’s six total 3-pointers in the game.

Up by 6 going into the fourth, Okarche kept its lead by going 8 of 8 from the free throw line.

Parham made all six of her attempts and scored 8 in the quarter.

Cramer made both of her foul shots and scored 6.

For the game, Parham poured in 17 points and led the team with 7 rebounds as well.

Cramer added 14 points and 5 boards.

West scored 9 off the bench.

Okarche is 23-5 entering the state tournament.

This is Okarche’s fourth appearance at state in the last five seasons.