Sports

About seven or eight years ago, Barry Schwarz was in a random gym as his son was getting ready to play a youth basketball game.As the game was about to begin, Schwarz noticed some familiar faces in the crowd for the opposing team.They were from his hometown of Okarche.

Casen Buck lit up Oilton for 24 points Tuesday as No. 1 Dover rolled to an 80-37 win in a Class B-II regional semifinal.The Longhorns will host No. 19 Cimarron at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for the regional championship as they continue their quest for back-to-back state tournament appearances.

Emerson Belt scored 20 points and Valeria Padilla had the game-winning steal and bucket as Dover stunned Mulhall-Orlando 42-40 Tuesday in a Class B-II regional semifinal.The win advances Dover to the regional championship game. The Lady Longhorns host No. 1 Lomega at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Not much separates Kevin Lewallen and Rick Wilson when it comes to state championships won as a coach.A lot separates their teams this year.No. 1 Lomega proved far superior Tuesday night as it out-classed visiting Taloga 85-19 in a Class B-II regional semifinal.

When Jaxson Snowden knocked down a baseline jumper with 1:20 left in the first half, all was right in the world at Lomega.Snowden’s shot put the Raiders up 27-10 against No. 19 Cimarron in their Class B-II regional semifinal game.

Okarche’s defense smothered Laverne on Tuesday night and has the Lady Warriors within one win of a regional title.The visiting Lady Tigers shot just 26 percent and committed 17 turnovers as No. 5 Okarche dominated the regional semifinal in a 55-29 victory.

As she watched her team’s lead dissipate, Andrea Taylor was happy about one thing, at least.“I’m glad I still had all my timeouts,” said the Cashion girls basketball coach.

John Hardaway likened Watonga to a snake…in a respectful manner.“You think you have it taken care of and you bend down to pick it up and it bites at you,” Hardaway said. “You have to kill it twice.

Small schools started last week.The rest of the county joins this week.By Saturday night, all Kingfisher County schools will have begun their basketball playoff quests.Half of them - Okarche (Class A), Lomega (B-II) and Dover (B-II) - are entering their regional round this week.

After his game was over and he was trying to unwind, Dale girls coach Eric Smith was nothing but complimentary as Cashion players walked by on Monday.His Lady Pirates, the topranked team in Class 2A, had just defeated Cashion 64-50 on its home floor.