Waurika began the new year by taking on a couple of Stephens County foes and managed to split a pair of games with Central High Tuesday night after dropping a twinbill to Empire last Friday.
Playing on the home court Tuesday night, the Lady Eagles dropped a 52-43 decision to Central High, while the Waurika boys held off Central High, 42-35, to snap a three-game losing streak.
Last Friday at Empire the Lady Eagles fell, 56-51, while the Waurika boys dropped a 51-41 decision to the Bulldogs.
Waurika begins play today in the Black Diamond Invitational at Rush Springs. The Lady Eagles were to have played Sterling at 1:30 p.m., while the boys were to have followed with a 3 p.m. contest against 20th-ranked Roff.
Both squads will continue play in the tourney on Friday and Saturday.
The Eagles and Lady Eagles will play host to Walters on Tuesday night with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m.
Heading into today’s tourney action the Lady Eagles are 8-5 on the season. The Waurika boys sport a 4-8 record heading into the tournament.
At home on Tuesday night, the Lady Eagles trailed Central High, 11-10, after one period, but rallied with a strong second quarter to carry a 27-22 advantage into the locker room at the half.
Central High managed to take the lead after three quarters, 41-39, and outscored the Lady Eagles, 15-4, in the final quarter to get the upset win.
Madison Roberson paced the Lady Eagles in scoring with 20 points and was a perfect eight for eight from the charity stripe.
The Eagles managed a 7-5 advantage after one quarter against the Bronchos and extended the lead in the second quarter as Waurika outscored Central High, 14-7, to hold a 21-12 lead at the break.
Despite Central High hitting three treys in the third quarter, the Eagles were able to pad the lead by outscoring the Bronchos, 12-9, and take a 33-21 lead into the final quarter.
Central High mounted a rally in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles held off the Bronchos despite struggling from the free throw line.
The Eagles hit seven of 14 attempts from the charity stripe and had only one field goal in the final quarter, but it was enough to secure the win.
Kevin Garcia led the Eagles in scoring with 10 points, but six other Eagles contributed to the scoring column.
The 20th-ranked Empire girls fell behind the Lady Eagles, 10-4, in the first quarter as Roberson accounted for eight of Waurika’s 10 points.
The two squads battled on even terms in the second quarter and the Lady Eagles held a slim 28-22 lead at the break.
The third quarter is where the tide turned for the Lady Eagles as Empire outscored Waurika, 18-8, to overcome the deficit and take a 40-36 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
In the final frame, Empire’s Korrie Allensworth scored eight of the team’s 16 points and helped hold off the Lady Eagles’ rally attempt for the win.
Empire’s only loss coming into the game was to seventh-ranked Ft. Cobb-Broxton and the five-point loss by Waurika was the closest victory for Empire during this season.
Roberson finished with 23 points and was the only Waurika player in double figures.
In the boys’ game at Empire, the Eagles suffered from a poor shooting night from the field and the free throw line.
The Eagles hung with the Bulldogs throughout the game, but Empire was able to increase the lead after every quarter.
Empire held a narrow 10-8 lead after one quarter and increased it to 25-20 by intermission.
The Bulldogs managed a 12-10 advantage in the third quarter to head into the final quarter with a 37-30 lead.
The Eagles could never get a serious rally going in the final quarter.
Waurika shot only 33% from the field and were woeful at the free throw line hitting only nine of 21 charity tosses for 42.9%. The Eagles did not connect on a three-point basket in the game.
Aaron Nitka paced the Eagles in scoring with 16, while Cache Arellano added 11 points.
Central High 52, Waurika 43
(Girls)
Central High 11 11 15 15–52
Waurika 10 17 12 4–43
WAURIKA – Madison Roberson 6-8-20, Gracie Walling 4-0-8, Tallin Mora 3-0-7, Faith Roberson 2-0-6, Madison Dees 1-0-2. PF: 19. Three-pointers: F. Roberson 2, Mora.
Waurika 42, Central High 35
(Boys)
Central High 5 7 9 14–35
Waurika 7 14 12 9–42
WAURIKA – Kevin Garcia 4-2-10, Aaron Nitka 4-1-9, Turner Mora 3-2-8, Cache Arellano 2-1-6, Hunter Wesberry 0-3-3, Bryson Hernandez 1-0-2. PF: 17. Three-pointers: Arellano.
Empire 56, Waurika 51
(Girls)
Waurika 10 18 8 15–51
Empire 4 18 18 16–56
WAURIKA – Madison Roberson 8-7-23, Tallin Mora 3-1-8, Asia Smith 2-4-8, Gracie Walling 2-0-4, Lexie Streeter 0-4-4, Faith Roberson 1-0-2, Madison Dees 1-0-2. PF: 13. Three-pointers: Mora 3.
Empire 51, Waurika 41
(Boys)
Waurika 8 12 10 11–41
Empire 10 15 12 14–51
WAURIKA – Aaron Nitka 6-4-16, Cache Arellano 4-3-11, Turner Mora 2-2-6, Payton Fletcher 3-0-6, Hunter Wesberrry 1-0-2. PF: 11. Three-pointers: None.
