Okarche title hopes end in semis
Strong third quarter propels top-ranked Hydro-Eakly past Lady Warriors, 43-29
OKARCHE SENIOR Mario Hunt (00) is guarded closely by Hydro-Eakly’s Raegan Klaassen during the first half of their Class A semifinal matchup. Hunt scored four points as the Lady Warriors’ season came to an end against the eventual state champions. [KT&FP Photo]
A look up and down the stat sheet proved there wasn’t a lot that separated Okarche and No. 1 Hydro-Eakly in their Class A girls basketball semifinal.
The Lady Warriors shot a better overall field goal percentage, matched the Lady Bobcats in rebounds and got the same kind of production off the bench.
However, it was Hydro-Eakly making its way into its second consecutive state championship game after a 43-29 victory over Okarche Friday at State Fair Arena.
A closer inspection on those stats shows Okarche forced 14 turnovers in the game, but committed 21.
“You teach that each turnover is worth two points,” coach Kelli Jennings said, noting the differential in turnovers.
“We lost by 14.”
The defeat ended another solid and sometimes improbable run by the Lady Warriors.
Through sickness and injuries, the team managed a 27-4 record. The final loss was to the team that went on to win the state title the next night.
But Hydro-Eakly had to earn it against the Lady Warriors.
After spotting the Lady Bobcats a 7-0 lead, Okarche went on a 9-2 run to tie the game at 7:05 of the second quarter on a putback by Ryen Wittrock.
The game was still tied at 11-all midway through the second quarter, but Okarche’s scoring woes were in full bloom.
Still within 16-12 at half-time, Okarche didn’t score in the second half until Rachel McDowell knocked down a 3-pointer at the 3:20 mark.
Hydro-Eakly’s defense had picked up its pressure and the Lady Warriors took more than half of the quarter to adjust.
By that time, Hydro-Eakly had gone on a 10-0 run to open the half.
The Lady Warriors got their deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter, but were unable to close the gap completely.
“The dry spell in the third quarter really hurt,” Jennings said. “We just came out flat.”
Hydro-Eakly was limited to 28.2 percent shooting (11 of 39) by the Lady Warriors.
Okarche was 9 of 31 (29 percent).
The Lady Bobcats did knock down two more 3-pointers and outscored Okarche 17-9 from the foul stripe.
Rachel Barry was the only Hydro-Eakly player in double figures with 17 points.
McDowell paced Okarche with 16 points.
Wittrock and Marlo Hunt scored four apiece.
Madison Owens led the team with 11 rebounds.
It was the second time in three years Okarche lost in the state finals to the eventual champ.
It was Seiling two years ago as Okarche took the Ladycats to two overtimes in first year.
Like that Friday night, Jennings walked off the court disappointed in the result, but not in her team.
“They overcame so much adversity and I believe they gave everything they could,” she said. “I’m so grateful they all got a chance to play in the Big House for all they battled through and overcame this year.”
They deserved to get to end their season there.