The Waurika girls’ and boys’ basketball squads traveled to Velma-Alma last week to compete in the 87th annual Stephens County Tournament.
It was a tough week in what has become a tough season for the Eagles and Lady Eagles.
The Eagles finished sixth in the tournament after falling to Davis, 70-38, in the consolation finals last Saturday.
The Wolves jumped out in front of the Eagles, 14-3, after one quarter and extended the lead to 27-10 at the intermission.
The two squads played on even terms through the second half of play, but Waurika was unable to cut into the deficit.
The Eagles did have an advantage in scoring inside with 20 points, but suffered 18 turnovers in the contest.
Waurika shot only 27% from the field and was only 13 of 26 from the free throw line.
Turner Mora led the Eagles with eight points, while Gatlin Black and Edwin Garcia each added seven tallies.
Waurika earned the right to play for the consolation title with a come-from-behind 43-41 win over Central High last Friday in the consolation semifinals.
Central High dominated the first quarter as the Bronchos jumped out to a 17-10 advantage.
The Eagles still trailed at the half, 26-19, but were able to cut into the lead in the third quarter by outscoring Central High, 10-6, to trail 32-29 heading into the final frame.
The Bronchos held the Eagles at bay until the final moments but Coach Joe Masoner’s crew outscored Central High, 14-9, to secure the win.
The Eagles got the win despite shooting only 41% from the field and hitting only 43% of their charity tosses.
Waurika was able to stay in the contest by getting 19 points over turnovers and holding a 24-0 advantage on scoring inside.
The Eagles pounded the boards throughout the game resulting in a 30-15 advantage in rebounds.
Aaron Nitka shot 60% from the field and led the Eagles in scoring with 15 points.
In the first-round game on January 16, the Eagles fell to eventual tourney runner up Comanche, 59-31.
The Eagles suffered another dismal shooting night as they connected on only 28% of their field goals and converted only four of nine free throw attempts.
Comanche jumped out to an 18-9 first quarter lead and then extended the margin to 32-18 at the half.
The Indians continued the onslaught with a 16-5 scoring advantage in the third quarter to lead 48-23 heading to the final frame.
Comanche took advantage of 23 Waurika turnovers during the contest and held a 22-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
Nitka set the pace for the Eagles in scoring with eight points.
The Lady Eagles dropped both of their games during the tournament.
Waurika fell in the consolation semifinals to Empire, 70-37, and lost to eventual tourney champion, Comanche, 68-20, in the first round.
In the first round contest with the Lady Indians, Waurika fell behind, 25-0, after the first quarter.
Madison Roberson managed a single free throw early in the second quarter, but the Lady Eagles had too big a hole to climb out of and trailed 45-11 at the half.
No other details on the two games were available.
The Waurika squads were to have traveled to Walters last Tuesday.
Waurika returns home Friday to battle rival Ringling and then will travel to Cyril on Saturday. Waurika stays on the road Tuesday as they will travel back to Velma-Alma.
Game time is 6:30 p.m.
The Waurika girls took a 5-9 mark into the meeting with Walters, while the Eagles are 4-11 on the year before the matchup with the Blue Devils.
