Regional Playoffs: Okarche 76, Wellston 27

Class-A No. 2-ranked Okarche (23-2) scored double-digits in every quarter while using absolutely suffocating defense to hold their opponent, Wellston (10-11) to single digits in each quarter. In fact, Okarche’s 27-point third quarter was enough to match the entire scoring output for the overmatched Wellston squad. Okarche looks to be hitting on all cylinders at just the right time and No. 20 Stuart (18-6) is going to have their hands full. <strong>Quote of the Game</strong> "Being strong inside, finishing around the basket, drawing the foul..." - Okarche Head Coach Haley Mitchel on what 2023 center Emma Stover did well on Friday night <strong>Player of the Game</strong> <strong>Emma Stover | 6-0 C | Okarche | 2023 | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13769706/Emma-Stover">Hudl</a></strong> Stover was the standout in this game from the lay-up line on. When the bright lights came on, she didn’t whither; Emma began to shine. The six-footer is tall and long and moves very well for a "big." She showed good hands inside and did a good job of receiving the ball. She worked hard for position down low and also did a great job of rebounding the ball, always searching out a body to put her body on and high-pointing the ball. She played through a lot of contact on Friday night as the refs were determined to let these two playoff squads determine things on the floor. Stover showed that she can finish with either hand in the post and also threw in several big blocks for good measure. Emma finished the night with a game-leading 23 points. She will make her debut on the 2023 rankings very soon and you may want to be the first college coach to offer her. I have a feeling that now that the word is out, the offers are going to begin rolling in. <strong>Other Standouts</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="376061" first="Kaylea" last="McLin"] | 5-6 G | Wellston | 2022 | <a href="https://x.com/kaylea_mclin">@kaylea_mclin</a></strong> McLin was a major bright spot on a very tough night for Wellston. She is an extremely fast guard with good handles who did a great job getting to the rim and finishing strong. Even with a major size difference down low, Kaylea was unafraid to drive into the forest and finish among the trees. She finished the night with eight points to lead her team. She is explosive to the rim and if you are a college coach looking for a slasher that can absolutely get buckets, look no further. I don’t know if she is committed or even has offers at all, but you have a little bit longer to get a look at her before the Oklahoma Class A playoffs are over. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="376094" first="Ryen" last="Wittrock"] | 5-8 G/F | Okarche | 2022 | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13769715/Ryen-Wittrock">Hudl</a></strong> Wittrock is a standout due to her height and length. She seems to transition from guard to forward and can defend almost any position on the floor. Just when you think you have her pegged as a post player or a guard who is strictly a defender or passer, she steps out and drains a three. She drained four of them, in fact. Her 12 points tied her for second on the squad. Wittrock came off the bench and immediately made a difference with her quick shooting and her ability to swat shots and rack up a few steals. Wittrock’s coach says she will not be playing at the next level as far as she knows and I should say it will be a major loss for the game of basketball. <strong>All Scorers</strong> <strong>Okarche (76): </strong>Emma Stover - 23, Jalie Rother - 12, [player_tooltip player_id="376094" first="Ryen" last="Wittrock"] - 12, Sophie Vandendriessche - 9, Jadyn Rother - 5, Tyson Endres - 4, Ruby Vandendriessche - 4, Adyson Arms - 3, Scout Payne - 2, Avery Schieber - 2 <strong>Wellston (27):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="376061" first="Kaylea" last="McLin"] - 8, Kaylee Danker - 7, Kendal Johnson - 7, Olivia Camblor - 3, Emalee Brewton - 2