LOCAL

State Earns High Marks In Education
Blood Supply Low in Oklahoma
Three Local Teenagers Held for Recent Thefts
District Court
Oil and Gas Report

State Earns High Marks In Education

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma educators are celebrating high marks contained in a national report, although state Superintendent Sandy Garrett says there is much to be done to improve schools.

In a report released Wednesday, Education Week gave Oklahoma an A-minus in standards and accountability. Oklahoma tied with Florida for eighth best in that category.

Oklahoma received a B for improving teacher quality, the best in the region, but the report said the state was losing teachers because of low pay and had a teacher shortage in some areas, especially math and science.

Ponca City Superintendent Dr. Bill White was happy with Oklahoma’s marks.

“The report for Oklahoma is exciting news that parallels our experience in Ponca City. We have an outstanding professional development plan for improving instruction,” White stated.

He added, “Our three National Board Certified teachers places us among the top district in teacher preparation.

The test scores are increasing slightly, but we still have the one out of three students performing below grade level.”

Education Week is published in Bethesda, Md., by the non-profit Editorial Project in Education. The Pew Charitable Trusts, a Philadelphia-based foundation, paid for the state-by-state survey.

Garrett beamed over the state’s rankings during a legislative hearing. ‘‘We were in the top 10 in every category and No. 3 in improving teacher quality,’’ she said. ‘‘We were the most improved state in the nation in standards and accountability.

‘‘In nearly every category, we outdistanced the state of Texas, which I liked the best,’’ she said.

Dr. White commented on the new graduation requirements for Ponca City and the impact they will have on students.

“The Ponca City Board of Education has adopted new graduation requirements to increase the number of math and science courses our students will take while requiring a “C” or better in the core classes,” White stated.

He said of Ponca City’s graduation rate, “[It] hovers near 70 percent, but the current junior class could reach a graduation rate of 85 percent in 2001. Nearly 70 percent of our graduates attend college in state (61 percent) or out-of-state (nine percent). That’s up from 56 percent in 1995.”

Oklahoma was tied for eighth in fourth-grade reading, tied for 11th in eighth-grade reading and tied for sixth in eighth-grade writing.

One area that Oklahoma continues to trail Texas, the report’s segment on Oklahoma noted, is in the area of teacher salaries. Average teacher salaries in Texas were listed at $38,000, compared with $30,700 for Oklahoma.

Ms. Garrett said that is one reason Oklahoma is losing teachers — to Texas and other states and to industry.

She has made improving teacher pay her top legislative goal. ‘‘That’s our biggest challenge,’’ she said. ‘‘We can’t ignore the teacher pay issue any longer.’’

White agreed with Garrett’s comments.

“We too are losing teachers to other states due in part to low salaries and benefits,” White said. “We expect the shortage of math and science teachers, especially physics teachers, to place a strain on course offerings in the coming years.”

The report took note of legislative approval of a ‘‘watered-downed’’ 4-by-4 core curriculum program, but suggested it could exacerbate the problem of teacher shortages in math and science because reforms were not fully funded.

It quoted Floyd Coppedge, Gov. Frank Keating’s education secretary, as saying ‘‘there will be some impact, but not as much as one may think.’’

Oklahoma received a C-minus in the school climate category, good for a ranking of No. 10 among the 50 states.

It received a C-plus in adequacy of financing, a C in funding equity, but a D in allocation of resources.

Ms. Garrett said the low grade in allocation is tied partly to the number of school districts the state has — more than 500 — and partly to the amount of funds reaching the classroom.

She said the report also showed Oklahoma had a ways to go in some areas, especially math.

‘‘We face many challenges and can’t rest on our laurels,’’ she said. ‘‘One thing we need to do is make a better effort into recruiting young people into teaching.’’

She said Oklahoma could help fill some of the void in math and science teachers if it upgrades school technology, allowing the ‘‘sharing’’ of good teachers in those subjects.

News Education Editor Kristi Hayes contributed to this story.

Blood Supply Low in Oklahoma

The blood supply in Oklahoma is lower than normal as a result of the impact of the holidays and the large number of blood donors who have the flu, according to the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI).

While all immediate patient needs are being met, the inventory of blood on hand across the state is about half of what it should be and this is prompting OBI officials to encourage additional blood donations.

“We typically have about a week’s worth of blood supply on hand at any given time,” said OBI president and CEO Ronald O. Gilcher, MD. “Lately we have had as little as a three day supply available and that is definitely below our comfort level.”

OBI is encouraging those who donate at regularly scheduled blood drives to wait and donate at that time. Anyone who does not have a blood drive coming up in the next two months is asked to give blood at this time.

“Because blood is perishable we have to pace the blood donations,” said Dr. Gilcher. “We have to ensure that we have enough blood to meet the needs of Oklahomans today, next week, next month and the month after that. What saved us last week was our biggest blood drive of the year with the KATT radio station. Those donations enable us to restock the hospitals but we have to keep the donations coming in.”

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is a state-wide, non profit blood center responsible for providing the blood supply for patients in 71 Oklahoma hospitals. OBI maintains donation centers in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid, Lawton, Ada, Ardmore and Ponca City and holds blood drives across the state. For more information about donating blood with OBI call (800) 827-5693 or (405) 297-5588.

Three Local Teenagers Held for Recent Thefts

The arrest of three local teenagers has cleared up some recent business burglaries in Ponca City.

The boys, ages 14, 15 and 16, have been arrested in connection with at least four burglaries. Most of the property taken in the burglaries has been recovered.

The burglaries reported to the Ponca City Police Department in December include the theft of a complete computer system and cellular phones and pagers from the City of Ponca City administration offices. Police arrested the 14-year-old in connection with this burglary.

Last weekend, PC Sports was burglarized Friday night, when it was forcibly entered by two of the teens, ages 14 and 15. Extensive property was damaged when one of the teens was injured from the broken glass. The trio attempted to re-enter the business on Saturday night, but were observed by police as they ran from the business.

Police said that prior to being caught by police on Saturday night, the teens had burglarized Cell-U-More, located on South Avenue, and had taken cellular phones and pagers.

The juveniles were released to the custody of their parents. Reports will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s office and the Office of Juvenile Affairs, according to the police department.

District Court

Newkirk

Marriage Licenses

Jeffrey Alan Moses, 39, and Doris Darlene Dodd, 32, both of Ponca City.

Divorces Sought

Karen Rivers vs. Warren T. Rivers.

Jamie Lee Key vs. Glynn E. Key.

Divorces Granted

Sherrie Schultz vs. Kenneth A. Schultz.

Civil Petitions

Montgomery Ward & Co. vs. Juliana Faulk; plaintiff seeking judgment for $2,618.54.

Commerce Bank vs. Richard L. Martin; plaintiff seeking judgment for $5,616.98.

Commerce Bank vs. Shelly A. Shaw and Bill R. Shaw; plaintiff seeking judgment for $5,012.42.

NationsBank N.A. vs. Michael D. Spears; plaintiff seeking judgment for $4,520.19.

Blackwell

Divorces Sought

Kathleen D. Jenkins vs. Douglas M. Jenkins.

Civil Petitions

C.L. Hooper Third Family Partnership vs. Gale Pemberton; plaintiff seeking judgment for $8,430.68.

Credit Bureau Services Association vs. Glenn Key; plaintiff seeking judgment for $4,491.37.

First National Bank of Oklahoma vs. Calvin E. Crumrine; plaintiff seeking judgment for $10,938.22.

Ponca City

Divorces Sought

Lisa Renee McCool vs. Ricky Joe McCool.

Briska Marie Leer vs. Ryan Chris Leer.

Diane Lynn Smith vs. Lonny Ray Smith.

Angela J. Rhea vs. John J. Rhea.

Divorces Granted

Karen A. Sledge vs. Troy L. Sledge.

Shannon K. Young vs. Robert Earl Young Jr.; plaintiff restored to former name Shannon Kay Smith.

Lance Wade Nunnallee vs. Carrie Jean Nunnallee.

Twila Lark Christina Root vs. Mayo Thurston Root Jr.

Kamille Renee Greenhagen vs. Rodney Jason Greenhagen.

Rhonda Lynn Kelly vs. Michael Ray Kelly.

Civil Petitions

Joseph Paul Kaililauokekoa Gomes, petition for name change to Joseph Paul Kaililauokekoa Richey.

First National Bank of Oklahoma vs. Dr. Sukumar Chaparala; plaintiff seeking judgment for $9,334.97.

Commercial Federal Mortgage Corporation vs. Marion Morris, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $23,342.48.

Commercial Federal Mortgage Corporation vs. James Hines and Denise Hines; plaintiff seeking judgment for $65,191.93.

Shirley Ann Webster, petition for name change to Shirley Ann Lawrence.

Oil and Gas Report

A 4,600-ft. Kay County wildcat is scheduled for spudding a little under three miles northwest of Braman. The explorer well will be known as the No. 2 E.S. Crow. Its target is production in the Arbuckle Lime, with R.D. Brewer Exploration as the operator.

Section 2-township 28n-range 2w-nw-se.

Drilling is nearing projected total depth at the No. 2 Miller in Kay County’s Dilworth Field. Drilling got under way on Dec. 13 with total hole projected to 3,550 feet in a lease 3.2 miles northwest of Peckham. Demco Oil and Gas Co. is the operator.

Section 4-township 28n-range 1e-se-nw.

A 19-year-old producer has been recompleted for extended well life in Noble County’s South Gansel Field.

Located about three miles southwest of Perry, it is known as the No. 1 Kemnitz. It originally was drilled to 5,246-ft. TD. It was re-perforated for production 4,574 to 4,578 feet into the hole.

The interval pumped four barrels of oil daily on an open choke.

Section 1-township 20n-range 2w-se-sw.

Showing ability to produce eight barrels of oil with 30,000 CF casinghead gas, the No. 1 Cockrell has been completed in the South Ceres Field, Noble County.

Location is 3.7 miles northwest of Red Rock. Sentinel Petroleum Inc. is the operator. The well was taken to total depth of 4,580 feet and will produce from a perforated interval 4,494 to 4,498 feet into the hole.

Section 32-township 24n-range 1e-sw-se.

Noble County’s Northwest Asp Field was the scene of developmental action when the No. 1 Wilson was re-entered for extended pay 4.8 miles southwest of Perry. Originally drilled to 5,100 feet, it will be seeking new pay in the Mississippian Era. Cirrus Production Co. is the operator.

Section 14-township 20n-range 2w-sw-ne.

Meager production prospects were indicated when the No. 8 Patsy was recompleted in the East Echo Field in Noble County. Location is 3.7 miles west-southwest of Ceres.

The shallow well was taken to total depth of 740 feet and was perforated for production 624 to 634 feet into the hole. The well showed ability to yield 30,000 CF gas per day on adjustable choke.

Section 18-township 23n-range 1w-sw-sw.

Vector Exploration Inc. will be the operator at a shallow wildcat venture 3.2 miles southeast of Three Sands in Noble County. Vector’s No. 1 Case will be an 800-ft. Permian Era test.

Section 18-township 24n-range 1e-ne-nw.

DEATHS

Lillian E. Ridgeway
Elva P. Brokaw
Effie Mae Huddleston
Gail Beniah Brokaw
Louisa Z. Bradley
Allen L. Streeter
Gene J. Stevens
Alice Zaitshik
Rudolph Wilbur Allen
Roy B. Foltz

Lillian E. Ridgeway

Lillian E. Ridgeway, Ponca City resident, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2000, at the Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was 93.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, at Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Mark Shorey, pastor of First Assembly of God, officiating. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery.

Lillian E. Ridgeway was born March 21, 1906, in Maynard, Ark., the daughter of Joel F. and Ida Boyd (Patterson) Williams. The family came to Oklahoma in 1908, settling in Bradley. In 1918 they moved to Ponca City. She finished her education in the Ponca City schools. During World War II, she worked in the defense industry in Oklahoma City. She returned to Ponca City in the 1960s to care for her mother.

She was a homemaker and enjoyed church work, sewing and doll making. She was a member of the First Assembly of God church since 1928.

Surviving are a son, Bob Hartshorne of Ponca City; a daughter, Audrey Horton of Magnum; one brother, Jay Williams of Anacortis, Wash.; and several grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother and one sister.

Casket bearers will be Jeff Denton, John Kepka, Dwight Haub, Fred Haub, Jack Rush, and Bill Ramsey Sr.

Elva P. Brokaw

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Elva P. Brokaw, resident of Arkansas City, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2000, at the South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center in Arkansas City. She was 82.

The funeral was held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000, at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery Chapel with the Rev. Mark McDonald officiating. Burial followed in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Hawks Funeral Home, Arkansas City.

Elva P. Brokaw was born on April 24, 1917, in Clinton, the daughter of John Lester and Erma Leola McKnight King. When she was a child, the family moved to Arkansas City, where she attended schools and lived the remainder of her life.

She married Gail Beniah Brokaw on July 1, 1973, in Arkansas City. She had been a member of the Church of God-Holiness and the Old Time Fiddlers, Pickers and Singers Association for many years.

At the time of her death, she was survived by her husband of the home. Additional survivors include two sisters Ruby Lillian Hesket of Wichita, Kan., and Dorothy Ruth Gregg of Sacramento Calif.; and two grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Elmer Wilbur King and Walter Howard King; four sisters, Margaret Irene Scott, Doris Marie Kitch, Helen Lorene King and Willetta May Bannon; and one daughter, Mary Jo Voorhees Tewell.

Effie Mae Huddleston

NORMAN — Effie Mae Huddleston, former resident of Kildare, died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000, in Norman. She was 89.

A private graveside service will be held at the IOOF Cemetery in Norman Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m. at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church with the Rev. Diane R. Kovacs officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Service in Norman.

Effie Mae Huddleston was born Feb. 18, 1910, in Kildare, the daughter of Della and Willie Martin. She attended Kildare Elementary School and graduated from Newkirk High School in 1928. She received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the University of Oklahoma. After teaching 30 years in rural and Norman public schools, she retired in 1971. She enjoyed teaching and music and sang in church choirs and taught piano lessons. She was a charter member of St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, where she was a member.

Survivors include a son, Robert Lonnie Huddleston of Ponca City; twins, Della Kay Williams of Collinsville, Texas, and Davie Mae Griffing of Minneapolis, Minn.; a brother, Earl Martin of Yukon; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Lonnie D. Huddleston; her parents; three brothers, Frank Martin, Don Martin and Gerald Martin; and a great-grandson.

Gail Beniah Brokaw

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Gail Beniah Brokaw, resident of Arkansas City, died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000, at the South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center in Arkansas City. He was 82.

A graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, at the Chapel of Memorial Lawn Cemetery with the Rev. Mark McDonald officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hawks Funeral Home of Arkansas City. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon.

Gail Beniah Brokaw was born on April 17, 1917, in Copan, Okla., the son of Jesse B. and Stella Mae Snook Brokaw. The family moved to Arkansas City in 1926 where he attended school. He later moved to Wichita where he worked as the foreman of the laundry room at the Lasson Hotel for 30 years until 1964, when he returned to Arkansas City.

Gail married Elva Pearl King Voorhees on July 1, 1973 in Arkansas City. She died on Jan. 10, 2000. He was a member of the Church of God-Holiness.

Survivors include one brother Jesse W. Brokaw of Ponca City; twin sister, Gladys Wall of Arkansas City; two step grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, he is preceded in death by his parents and one stepdaughter, Mary Jo Tewell.

Louisa Z. Bradley

Oklahoma City — Louisa Z. Bradley, longtime resident of Ponca City, died Jan. 11, 2000, in Oklahoma City. She was 92.

The funeral is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ponca City. Burial will follow in the St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Mercer-Adams Funeral Service of Bethany.

Louisa Z. “Momsie” Bradley was born June 25, 1907, in Manchester, the daughter of Tony and Anna K. Burg Bellinhausen. She lived for a long time in Ponca, where she was known as the “Bird Lady” for her work in caring for injured birds. She was a retired registered nurse and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Sean Gibson of Oklahoma City; a son, Tony Bradley of Norman; and one grandchild.

Obituaries

Allen L. Streeter

Allen L. Streeter, Ranch Drive resident, died Tuesday afternoon Jan. 11, 2000, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 58.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, in the First Christian Church with the Rev. Charles Heyer, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Born April 1, 1941, in Ponca City, he was the son of Everett Benjamin Streeter and Anita (Thompson) Freeman. Allen grew up in Ponca City and received his education in the Ponca City schools, graduating from Ponca City High School in 1958. He went on to attend Oklahoma State University and received an associates degree in diesel technology.

On Sept. 3, 1960, he was married to Roberta L. “Bobbie” Cobb in the First Christian Church in Ponca City. The couple has made their home in Ponca City since that time.

Mr. Streeter was employed with Conoco for 22 years and then worked for the Farmers Co-op in Ranch Drive. He recently began working at Air System Components as a third shift forklift operator.

Allen was a charter member of the Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department and was on the committee to build the fire station, which was completed in 1995. Mr. Streeter was one of two certified CPR instructors with the fire department. He enjoyed gardening, farming, and spending time with his grandchildren. This past summer he had earned his Black Belt in Karate.

Surviving are his wife, Bobbie, of the home; two sons, Robert Allen Streeter and his wife, Theresa, of Newkirk and John Lee Streeter and his wife, Karla, of Ponca City; his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Freeman of Bressie Community; one sister, Wanda Wallace of Ponca City; and four grandchildren, Dustin, Chloe, Kade, and Kyle. He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Everett and Lorene Streeter.

Casket bearers will be Gerald Wynes, Wayne Rhoads, Jim Rosenbaum, David Crabtree, Dave Smith, Charles Starks, Steve Blake, Everette VanHoesen and Jim Duvall. Honorary casket bearers will be members of the Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department and Mr. Miller’s School of Isshinryu Karate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department, 3454 South Ranch Drive, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

The family will be at the home, 3469 S. Ranch Drive.

paid obituary

Gene J. Stevens

KAW CITY — Gene J. Stevens, Kaw City resident, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000, at his home. He was 72.

The funeral will be Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church with the Rev. Brenda Booth officiating. Burial will follow in the Kaw City Grandview Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. The family will be at the Stevens home on Stevens Lane in Kaw City.

Gene J. Stevens was born Oct. 4, 1927, in Kaw City, the son of Nathan J. and Geneva (Chambers) Stevens. He grew up and attended school in Kaw City. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Bretch and was honorably discharged on May 17, 1946.

He married Glenny S. Justice Nov. 23, 1946, in Winfield, Kan., and they made their first home in Kaw City.

Gene worked for Piper Cub Air Craft, later going to Barber School in Tulsa. Other jobs included Coon Construction, time keeper for Kay County District 1, and Evans and Throop Construction.

Stevens’ love for airplanes started young. He worked for Piper at the early age of 13, helping start and maintain their planes. He owned three different small Piper Cub airplanes of his own. He also loved fishing, boating, hunting, and listening to country and western music.

His greatest love was his wife, family, friends, church and his American Flag, which he always flew.

He belonged to the Kaw City American Legion for 52 years. He was on the volunteer fire department until ill health forced him to resign. He belonged to the First Christian Church of Kaw City and was active in keeping the church maintained. He and his wife were a big part of seeing the new fellowship hall get accomplished and the new parking lot is in the process of being built.

He is survived by his wife, Glenny, of the home; two sons, David Gene Stevens and his wife Sherry of Ponca City, and Johnny Guy Stevens and his wife, Barbara of Kaw City; a daughter, Diana Lynn (Stevens) Wise and husband David of Kaw City; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren, all of Kaw City and Ponca City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nate and Geneva (Chambers) Stevens; and two brothers, Coleman C. and Shelby Stevens.

Casket bearers will be his grandsons, Brad Stevens, Chris Tennant, Gary Wingo, Casey Cargill, Mike Rowe, Craig Wise, and Justin Wise.

Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the First Christian Church Building and Parking Lot Fund, P.O. Box 20, Kaw City, Okla. 74641.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Alice Zaitshik

IDABEL — Alice Zaitshik, former resident of Ponca City, died Jan. 10, 2000, at her home in Idabel. She was 56. Arrangements are pending with Jim Norwood Funeral Home in Idabel.

Rudolph Wilbur Allen

Rudolph Wilbur Allen, Fort Oakland resident, died early Thursday morning, Jan. 13, 2000, at Via Christi St. Joseph Medical Center in Wichita. He was 77. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Roy B. Foltz

Roy B. Foltz, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. He was 89. Funeral arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

Singles to Meet for Dinner — Singles Connection will meet on Saturday at 6 p.m. for dinner at El Patio. For more information call Mary Lou at 762-0578.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Luncheon Event — All area women are invited to attend the “Somewhere in Time” luncheon at the Ponca City Country Club 12:30-2:30 p.m. Jan. 18. It is sponsored by the Ponca City Christian Women’s Club. Cost is $8.50 per person and reservations may be made with Jeanette, 765-8427.

Pauline steak and shrimp dinner $11.95 Friday the 14th. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Ballroom Dance — The public, all ages, is invited to come dance to the music of Al Good Friday 7:30-10:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Stillwater Ballroom Dance Club and will be held at the Starlite Terrace of the student union at Oklahoma State University. Admission is $10 per person. For more information call 372-3432, 372-5057, or 372-7626.

Subject Held — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday requesting assistance in the 400 block of South Pine Street. Three officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned and a 34-year-old man was held for domestic assault and battery and a Kay County warrant.

Vandalism — A man in the 800 block of North Birch Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:01 a.m. Wednesday that some vandalism had been done. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Truck Rolls Over — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday that a trailer-tractor rig had rolled over 1.5 miles south of U.S. 60 on U.S. 177. Two units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded and reported the driver out of the vehicle that was hauling gravel but did not require medical attention. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was notified.

Threat — A man in the 100 block of West Highland Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday that someone had kicked in the back door and left an item. A bondsman reported that the subject had a weapon and made some threats earlier. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Head Country all day Friday special­ All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Shoplifters — An employee at Maurices, 2101 North Fourteenth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:53 p.m. Wednesday that two women shoplifters had been in the store and just left out the back door. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Grass Fire — A report of a grass fire one mile south and four miles west of the Ranch Drive elevator was reported to the Communications Center at 1:05 p.m. Wednesday. Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department was notified but the fire was reportedly put out by the owner prior to the arrival of the department.

Extra Patrol — An official with the Water and Light Department of Ponca City requested an extra patrol of an area between Clarke Street and Donahoe Drive at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday as a result of destruction of city property. An officer was assigned and it was logged that the city had replaced a security light four times recently.

Subject Held — An officer at the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday that a 36-year-old woman was being held on a city warrant for failure to appear and public intoxication.

Accident — A woman from the 300 block of East Broadway Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:47 p.m. Wednesday that a vehicle accident had occurred. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Broadway Avenue and North Oak Street at 1:30 a.m. Thursday that a 43-year-old man was being held on a city warrant.

Collision — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 3:43 p.m. Wednesday that a two-vehicle, non-injury accident had occurred at the intersection of North Seventh Street and East Highland Avenue. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned and a report was taken.

Bicycle Stolen — A man from the 500 block of West Grand Avenue was at the Ponca City Police Department at 4:16 p.m. Wednesday to report that a bicycle had been stolen. The information was logged.

Grass Fire — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 4:26 p.m. Wednesday that a grass fire was burning in the 11000 block of East U.S. 60. The Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department was notified but the caller returned a call to the Communications Center stating the fire had been put out.

Hit and Run — A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:44 p.m. Wednesday that a hit and run accident had occurred at the intersection of West Chestnut Avenue and North Waverly Street. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Gas Drive-Off — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 12:39 a.m. Thursday from Triple T, 425 South Fourteenth Street, that a subject in a vehicle had left southbound without paying for gasoline. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Chestnut Avenue and North Osage Street at 1 a.m. Thursday that an 18-year-old man was being held for a Kay County warrant.

Property Damaged — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 3:25 a.m. Thursday from the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue that subjects had thrown a brick through a vehicle window. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a destruction of private property report was taken.

GARDENING

Statues, Ornaments Brighten Landscape
‘Potted’ Plantings Are Easy and Fun
Diggin’ in the Dirt

Statues, Ornaments Brighten Landscape

(CNS) — Every element in your garden should be as well-planned as your home if you wish to make the most of your very own piece of the outdoors.

Some additions to your garden may not only give it personal character and charm, but may also literally invite you to spend more time in it. These additions include the obvious ones of furniture and barbecues. But some touches you may not have considered could transform your outside space into a virtual personal paradise.

“Whether formal or informal, the rule is to plan the garden as a collection of individual pictures or theatrical scenes, each of them an eye-catcher,” says Robin Williams in “Garden Design: How to Be Your Own Landscape Architect” (Reader’s Digest Books).

To create these scenes, first ponder what purposes you want your garden to have, then create the best atmospheres for those purposes. Here are some common garden elements that help do that.

Structural Enhancements

Walls and even fences need not be strictly territorial boundaries. When you plant them with climbing, flowering plants, they can be literally transformed into beautiful garden features.

“Often an undervalued space in the garden, any structurally sound fence or wall will provide a good surface against which to grow a range of plants,” says Pippa Greenwood in “The New Gardener: The Practical Guide to Gardening Basics” (Dorling Kindersley).

“In addition, the shelter provided by a solid barrier such as a wall may well allow you to grow more tender plants than would otherwise be possible.”

Fruit trees, in particular, thrive if planted close to the protection and support of a sunny wall or fence, she adds.

There are other such structures that don’t define your boundaries, however, that can be equally transforming: screens, arches and pergolas.

A screen can be as simple as a single trellis panel, planted on both sides with climbing plants, both flowering and foliage.

“Ornamental screens can be used to hide eyesores from view, to break up a long, thin garden into a series of garden ‘rooms,’ or simply to increase available planting area,” says Greenwood.

Arches and pergolas, also potential canvases for climbing plants, can make perfect foils for dining tables, as they frame a location that otherwise wouldn’t be apparent, or can be used to link parts of the garden. A pergola refers to a series of two or more interconnecting arches, leading from one part of a garden to another.

“It can also be used to frame a view as well as to divide a garden into two or more sections, to provide shade and a sense of privacy or enclosure, and to create a framework for planting in a confined area,” says Tim Newbury in “The Ultimate Garden Designer” (Ward Lock, London).

All these structures can be made from virtually any material that will enhance your garden: wood, brick, rocks, wrought iron or a combination of materials. Many such structures can be purchased already constructed, or can be constructed relatively easily.

Water Features

Perhaps no other feature is as welcome in a garden as a pool, pond, waterfall or fountain.

“Water in the garden has a peculiar fascination, which is shared by young and old alike, whether it be tumbling over rocks and splashing into a pool alive with the red and yellows of goldfish, or in some sheltered nook supporting the broad verdant pads and brightly colored waxy blossoms of waterlilies,” says Philip Swindells in “Garden Pools, Waterfalls & Fountains” (Ward Lock).

If you have a swimming pool, that feature naturally takes center stage. But even if you have a tiny town house garden, a small fountain can create tremendous visual and audio appeal - especially good if you need to hide street noise. Water is particularly fascinating when it is moving, Swindells notes.

“The visual aspect must be carefully accommodated, for, even with a small area of water, the position in which it is placed can make or mar the garden,” says Swindells.

“Full sunlight promotes the growth of algae, so partial shading from nearby walls, garden structures or foliage, or from the leaves of aquatic plants such as waterlilies, is desirable,” says Williams. “Avoid excessively shady sites, especially beneath trees…. The ideal aim is to maintain a balance of plant and animal life that will keep the water clean and clear.”

A water feature could even be as simple and entertaining as a birdbath, drawing more of nature’s creatures to your home.

Art and Ornament

Statues have long been elements in classical, formal gardens, and today all forms of sculpture have found their place in formal and informal gardens. A well-placed bench can even take on sculptural interest.

Keep in mind the kind of impact you wish the sculptural feature to attract. White-hued or marble statues will contrast vividly against the greens of a garden, so will stand out wherever they’re placed. If you wish something more subdued in effect, “choose limestone for the statue (lichens will mute the paleness further), paint the seat a pale gray, or use natural wood weathered to a silvery tone,” says Williams.

Some ornaments may not be readily apparent to a visitor to the garden, but are discovered on closer scrutiny. Some “painterly” gardeners are successful in “hiding” a limestone bunny in a bed of plantings that can add a fairy-tale quality to the scene.

Other ornamental choices include sundials, birdhouses, or even trompe Foeil scenes painted on a back wall, incorporating plantings.

Ornamental Lights

Lighting can also become ornamental in a garden. Consider a spotlight on that corner fountain, statue or stately tree, which will continue the magic at night.

“Lighting the garden makes it look attractive when viewed from the house and makes it accessible at night, transforming the site into an outdoor living room,” says Williams. “Artificial lighting offers dramatic potential as special features are singled out from the darkness.”

As you would inside your home, choose garden lighting fixtures to be decorative as well as functional. During the day they need to blend into their surroundings.

Among today’s lighting choices for gardens, as outlined by Williams, are fiberglass boulders, which blend inconspicuously during the daytime when they are not lighted but glow softly at night, Japanese lanterns lighted at night by flickering candles, art nouveau-style flower lights, convex wallmounted lamps, coated-steel lampposts, wooden lampposts, both in old-time styles for older homes or housed in contemporary rectangular boxes, and movable spotlights.

Functional Beauties

And, finally, consider incorporating function with beauty, such as constructing a hinged-top bench or wooden box to double as storage for your garden hose or planting tools, or building a seating bench around the base of your favorite specimen oak tree. Similarly, build a cupboard/counter area for your barbecue needs and you will truly have a functional and inviting outdoor room.

‘Potted’ Plantings Are Easy and Fun

a(CNS) — It’s not the size of your plot, but the design of your pot. Container gardening lends itself to a more creative pursuit when encouraging gladiolus or jasmine to bloom.

Using containers isn’t just for people trapped in cramped spaces. Many gardeners with tons of room use containers - just for different reasons.

But for those with plenty of room, experimentation ranks high when using containers for gardening.

It only makes sense to try out new seeds in containers before going to all the work of digging beds and preparing the sod for something that may or may not work. Also, containers are great if your soil is lousy.

But container gardening isn’t just about buying some pots, sod and seeds. It is still serious gardening, just on a smaller scale. What you can do with containers and small areas ranges from harvesting edibles and creating ponds to growing bonsai and a host of other eye-appealing projects. Container gardening also allows you to combine floral beauty with artistic expression depending on the type of pots you buy.

Where To Begin

The first step is to decide what you want to grow - flowers, produce or both. Almost all flowers and shrubs will grow in pots. Most, but not all, vegetables can be grown in pots. It is possible to grow garlic, eggplant, lettuce and cucumbers in containers.

The advice found in “The Container Expert” by D.G. Hessayon (Expert Books) is rich in information. He walks you through the basics of how to fill your container with the right stuff.

He recommends that containers be stable and able to withstand rot, rust and corrosion. The first item that should go into large containers is a layer of gravel or small river rocks. You may want to do this with all your containers - it does help the drainage. Always be sure your containers have drainage holes in the bottom or you will just be growing a plant destined for root rot.

Gardening with containers allows you to have total control over the type of soil, or growing medium. You can easily adjust acidity and alkalinity.

Hessayon suggests using compost for your containers. Regular soil taken from your yard won’t work as well due to the regularity of watering. After you become an old hand at growing in containers, you can play around with mixing soil and compost and other nutrients.

Watering is going to be more of a chore with containers, but weed and pest control will be practically nonexistent.

Types of Plants

Short of pine and apple trees, just about anything can be grown in pots.

Following are suggestions from Hessayon:

Bedding plants. Primarily annuals, these can include flowering maple, floss flower, sweet alyssum, snapdragon, African daisy, asarina, monkey flower, petunia, geranium, bleeding heart and leopard’s bane.

Trees, shrubs and bonsai. Hearty plants like these include clematis, Mexican orange blossom, heather, butterfly bush, juniper, ornamental currant and cotton lavender.

Rockery perennials. Commonly referred to as alpines, these include whitlow grass, thrift, rock jasmine, bellflower, gold dust, scab weed and rockery violet.

Aquatic plants. You can create miniature ponds with containers with water hyacinth, parrot’s feather, Japanese water iris and bob bean.

Herbs. Perhaps the best container goodies you can grow. Just about any herb will do fine in a pot, but you might try basil, rosemary, dill, parsley or thyme.

Vegetables. These edibles also do quite well in containers. It’s easy to grow tons of lettuce with just a few containers. Other delectables include cucumbers, onions, peas, peppers (sweet and hot), radishes, beans and tomatoes.

Fruits. Strawberries work famously as do blueberries, plums, peaches and pears.

Perfect Pots

Using containers to grow your bounty allows you to be creative with what you plant. The main types include:

• Window box

• Tower

• flanging basket

• Wall mounted

• Standard pot

It doesn’t matter which you use, except in how you want your area to look. Almost all growables will work fine in any of the above - it becomes a matter of aesthetics and space limitations.

Specific pots, such as parsley pots and strawberry pots, can be used for a variety of creative uses. You can trail vines from them, plant similar herbs.

Other containers that allow the use of creativity include old tires, chimney pots, old wheelbarrows, old sinks or any odd object with enough room to plop in dirt and some colorful flowers.

You may want to use plant stands, as well. Some of the more popular styles of plant stands are large etageres. They can be found in a myriad of sizes and shapes ranging from half-moon corner units to multilevel rectangular side units.

When it’s all said and done, you still don’t have to settle for your creation. Container gardening allows the flexibility of rearranging, incorporating new plants, tossing old plants or adding other touches that your creativity conjures up. Now’s the time to stop and smell the roses.

Diggin’ in the Dirt

By Kathy Zehr

Last week we discussed growing plants from seeds for spring planting. After reading that column again, I’d like to add a little more information to help first-timers since this column is geared for the new or amateur gardener.

Timing is Important

First of all, don’t get in a hurry to start sprouting garden seeds indoors. Starting seeds too early sometimes results in having to keep them too long in second-best indoor lighting which results in weak spindly transplants. Normally, most garden seeds may be started in northern Oklahoma about the middle of February, which is usually about four weeks from our last hard frost. However, different seeds may take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks to develop into good garden-ready seedlings.

Please check information on the seed packets for seeding or germination information and since weather has recently been so unstable, check with the Kay County OSU extension office at Newkirk for the last expected hard frost date for the area. Plan your indoor seed starts accordingly, but remember, later is better.

Start With Flats

For ease of handling and starting, I plant my seeds in a “flat” or container about 12-18 inches long and 12 inches wide. Inexpensive containers may include the white Styrofoam meat containers from 10 pounds of ground beef, disposable aluminum cake pans or homemade flats from scrap lumber. Garden centers have prettier ones, but homemade works just fine. All must have good drainage. All containers and tools should be cleaned in soap and water then rinsed in a solution of one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water.

Fill the flat about two inches deep with seeding soil as described in last week’s column. Make one-fourth inch deep planting furrows in the moist soil about one and one-half inches apart for planting seeds (I use the edge of a ruler). Plant larger seeds in the furrow and sprinkle more soil on top to fill. Label the furrows so you can remember what plant and species you planted in which row. Follow instructions for sowing tiny seeds as described in last week’s column. Cover flats loosely with light plastic only if necessary to keep the soil moist. Allow some air circulation.

Repotting Strengthens

When the seedlings sprout, move them to the light. When they have grown two healthy leaves, carefully thin the more delicate plants (impatiens and petunias) to about one and one-half inches apart and leave in the flats. The heartier plants (tomatoes and peppers) should be transplanted into deeper and larger clean containers (various pots, cottage cheese cartons, etc.). Heartier plants develop stronger roots when they are transplanted at this point; for instance, tomatoes develop much greater root mass with at least three transplantings to successively larger pots.

After the “babies” are well established, reduce moisture and place in cooler temperatures. If your artificial soil contains no food, add a VERY LIGHT amount of houseplant fertilizer to the water about once every two weeks. Good light is very important — spindly plants are usually the result of insufficient light. After the last frost, “harden off” your tender “babies” for a week before planting in the garden. Set them out for a few hours each day — first in the shade, then in sunlight.

Garden Planting

Everything except tomatoes should be planted in the garden at the same level it grew in the pot. Tomatoes can be buried deep, leaving only the top one-third of the plant exposed. Mulch to keep moisture in the soil around the new seedlings.

Time to Order

If you order from seed catalogs, it’s time to get the order placed — particularly for Irish potatoes. Spuds and other cold-crops are usually planted in Oklahoma from mid-February to mid-March, since they prefer cool nights and 60-degree days to grow the best crops. Local garden centers, where I prefer to shop, do not usually have potato variety choices, so I stoop to ordering from the catalogs.

Almost any variety of Irish spud will grow well in Oklahoma given the proper conditions. OSU brochure No. F-6004 Garden Planning Guide also recommends the mid-February planting of cool-crop seeds — cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, chard, spinach, turnips, carrots, lettuce, onions, and green peas. I see many of these fresh seeds already for sale in local stores. Buy while selections are good. Log their names in your journal.

Other January Chores

Other winter chores to be performed now include the pruning of dormant trees, fertilizing and watering certain evergreens, and checking your houseplants carefully for pests. Experts recommend adding a light fertilizer to the watering of fast-growing houseplants now, but do not fertilize succulents and other slow growers until spring.

SPORTS

Cowgirls, Sooners Both Win
8th Grade Basketball
Ponca City Red Boys
OSU’s Williams, Nike Talks to Grand Jury
Mat, Cage Queens Crowned
Cat JVs Net Split

Cowgirls, Sooners Both Win

STILLWATER. (AP) — Jennifer Crow scored 27 points, including the game-winning jumper with five seconds remaining, as Oklahoma State held off Texas 71-69 in Big 12 women’s basketball.

Crow was 10-of-18 from the field Wednesday night, helping the Cowgirls (10-4, 2-0 Big 12) outshoot Texas 48 percent to 33 percent.

After Crow’s eight-footer gave OSU the lead, Asha Hill’s shot at the buzzer bounced off the rim.

Mandy Stuper had 13 points, Chatoya Hawkins scored 11 and Toya Releford scored 10 for Oklahoma State. The Cowgirls took advantage of 29 percent shooting (9-of-31) by Texas to build a 12-point halftime lead. They widened it to 16 early in the second half and hung on after that.

Oklahoma 87, Texas A&M 59

NORMAN (AP) — LaNeishea Caufield scored 18 points Wednesday night and Oklahoma controlled the game from the start in an 87-59 victory over Texas A&M.

Stacey Dales and Phylesha Whaley had 16 points each and Caton Hill scored 10 as the Sooners improved to 12-3 overall, 2-0 in the Big 12.

Oklahoma had a 36-18 lead at halftime and was never threatened by A&M (9-4, 1-2), which shot only 33 percent. The Sooners also outrebounded A&M 49-25, with Whaley and Jennifer Cunningham grabbing 11 rebounds each.

8th Grade Basketball

Ponca City Blue Boys 52, Edmond Sequoyah 39

Ponca City’s eighth Blue boys overcame a slow start to top host Edmond Sequoyah 52-39 in the semifinals of the Edmond tournament.

Trailing 12-9after one period, the Blue Cougars forged a 24-22 halftime lead and pulled away in the second half, outscoring Sequoyah 14-6 in the third period.

Devin Anderson hit for 16 points and Matt Droughard had 11 to pace Ponca City.

Ponca City 52, Edmond Sequoyah 39

Ponca City 9 15 14 14 — 52

E. Sequoyah 12 10 6 11 — 39

Ponca — Devin Anderson 16, Matt Droughard 11, Antoine English 9, Kevin Bradley 5, Todd Gingrich 4, Whit Theobald 2, Pat Collogan 2.

Putnam City Cooper 63,

Ponca City Blue Boys 32

Ponca City’s Blue eighth grade boys made a late run in the finals of the Edmond Sequoyah Tournament but had too big a hill to climb, losing 63-32 to Putnam City Cooper.

The talented Putnam City team broke to a 15-1 first quarter lead and was ahead 32-6 at halftime.

Pat Collogan was the only Cougar in double figures with 10 points.

Putnam City Cooper 63,

Ponca City 32

Ponca City 1 5 5 21 — 32

Putnam City 15 17 18 11 — 63

Ponca — Pat Collogan 10, Devin Anderson 9, Antopine English 6, Matt Droughard 3, Kevin Bradley1, Derek Viljoen 1

Ponca City Blue Girls 27, Edmond Sequoyah 17

Ponca City’s eighth grade Blue girls held Edmond Sequoyah to seven first-half points and cruised to a 27-17 win in the semifinals of the Edmond Sequoyah Tournament.

Janna Green paced the Ponca City scoring with 11 points.

Ponca City Blue 27,

Edmond Sequoyah 17

Ponca City 7 10 6 4 — 27

E. Sequoyah 0 7 3 7 — 17

Ponca City — Janna Green 11, Chelsey Cobb 6, Jennifer Jenkins 4, RuDonna Barden 2, Tiffany Polard 2, Jordan Lunsford 2

Stillwater 29,

Ponca City Blue Girls 19

Ponca City’s eight grade Blue girls stayed even with Stillwater for three quarters in the finals of the Edmond Sequoyah Tournament but rain out of gas in the final few minutes to lose 29-19.

Ponca City trailed 6-5 at intermission in the low scoring first half. Stillwater forged in front 19-11 in the third perod only to see the Lady Cougars cut the margn to two points before fading in the final minute.

Stillwater 29, Ponca City Blue 19

Ponca City 2 3 1 13 — 19

Stillwater 4 2 7 16 — 29

Ponca City — Janna Green 8, Jordan Lunsford 7, Chelsey Cobb 4

Ponca City Red Boys

Ponca City’s eighth grade Red boys had three close games in the Edmond Central Tournmament.

The Red Cougars dropped a 26-24 overtime decision to Norman Alcott in the first round, rebounded for an at-the-buzzer 42-41 win over Heritage Hall and topped Norman Irving on a last shot in overtime in the consolation finals, 46-44.

Jess Waler had 10 points in the losing cause to Norman Alcott.

Waller scored 17 and Scott Harman had 11 in the win over Heritage Hall.

Norman Alcott 26, Ponca City Red Boys 24

Ponca City 6 3 7 8 0 — 24

N. Alcott 4 7 4 9 2 — 26

Ponca — Jess Waller 10, Scott Harman 5, Justin Bush 5, Noah England 2, T.C. Hankins 2

Ponca City Red Boys 42,

Heritage Hall 41

Ponca City 11 6 14 11 — 42

Heritage Hall 10 8 12 11 — 41

Ponca City — Jess Waller 17, Scotty Harman 11, Justin Bush 6, Noah England 2, T.C. Hankins 2, Doug Flett 2, Jordan Bailey 2

OSU’s Williams, Nike Talks to Grand Jury

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Federal prosecutors questioned an Oklahoma State athlete while a Nike Inc. executive and a Kansas City businessman testified before a federal grand jury that has been investigating reports of improper payments to high school basketball players during summer league competition.

Oklahoma State freshman Andre Williams is one of the three former high school stars from the Kansas City area who have been suspended from play with their college teams. He was interviewed Wednesday.

The grand jury is exploring whether improper payments endangered players’ college eligibility and economically harmed federally funded universities.

Don Crenshaw, Nike’s manager of high school basketball, spent about an hour before the grand jury. Through his lawyer, J.R. Hobbs, Crenshaw declined comment about his testimony.

‘‘Nike is fully cooperating with the investigation,’’ Hobbs said. ‘‘Nike is not a target of the investigation.’’

Crenshaw directs Nike’s high school basketball programs nationwide, organizing tournaments, camps and corporate funding for traveling summer teams.

Williams and two other former Kansas City prep stars suspended from their college teams, brothers JaRon and Kareem Rush, all played on a Nike-sponsored summer team while in high school.

Each has reportedly acknowledged receiving improper payments or benefits before they went to college.

The coach of the summer team, Myron Piggie, also was a paid Nike consultant. Piggie says he has done nothing improper.

After Crenshaw’s testimony the grand jury heard for about 10 minutes from Tom Grant, a Kansas City businessman who paid the prep school tuition for Williams, who spent his senior year at a school in Maine, and JaRon Rush, who played at Kansas City’s Pembroke Hill High School.

Grant, the chief executive officer of LabOne Inc., declined to comment about his testimony. John Osgood, his lawyer, said Grant has cooperated with the probe by giving investigators information about the support his charitable foundation provided to the players.

‘‘He was just filling in some details about this whole unfortunate episode,’’ Osgood said.

Grant also provided financial support to the summer teams on which the three Kansas City players competed.

Williams emerged from his 90-minute meeting with prosecutors saying he was weary with the case.

‘‘It’s frustrating, to say the least,’’ Williams said. ‘‘I’m going back to school. I’m ready to get back on the court and play.’’

Williams, who played at Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kan., before transferring to the Maine school, has been indefinitely suspended by Oklahoma State for accepting impermissible benefits.

Grant, who provided the tuition for Williams to attend the school, said last week the NCAA has made a preliminary decision to suspend Williams for a year because of the tuition payments.

The NCAA, according to Grant, said Williams must repay the $20,000 in tuition before his eligibility is complete.

Williams’ attorney, Mark Zannotti of Tulsa, instructed him not to answer a reporter’s questions about the investigation.

Zannotti, however, said that Williams’ case, aside from the grand jury probe, could set an NCAA precedent, but wouldn’t detail why.

‘‘Since this case is going to be a precedent, (NCAA officials) are going through all the channels to set a decision that sets a correct precedent,’’ Zannotti said.

Mat, Cage Queens Crowned

Queen coronations will spark tonight’s wrestling matches and Friday's basketball games at Po-Hi.

The Wildcat wrestlers will clash with Bartlesville on the mats at Robson Fieldhouse starting at 7 p.m.

But prior to that the Cats’ King and Queen will be crowned.

The basketball queen and her court will be introduced just prior to the start of the Lady Wildcats’ game against Bartlesville Friday.

The coronation is set for 6:15 with the girls’ game to follow.

The boys’ basketball game will start about 8.

Following these activities, it back to the regular schedule.

The wrestlers are in the Sapulpa Tournament Friday and Saturday while the basketball teams host Sapulpa in a rare Saturday night doubleheader. Those games are set for 6:30 and 8.

Cat JVs Net Split

Ponca City’s JV cagers split with Owasso Tuesday with the boys winning 51-21 whiele the girls saw their rally fall short, 29-24.

“This is the best defensive game the team has played all year,” said boys’ coach Joe Mattlock. “We had great pressure on then ball, great traps and a great job of rebounding.

“Offensively, the kids were patient and poised with the ball. They moved well without the ball and always found the open man for an easy score,” the coach continued. “Matt Myers came off the bench to have a hugh game.”

Josh Pitts opened the game withn a 3-pointer and the Cats never trailed.

Myers finished with 12 points while Jared Brashears had 10, Pitts nine, James Anno eight, Kris Upchurch five, John Abel four, Matt Bond two and Geheb one.

The Lady Cats fell into a 16-2 hole early, but stormed back to lead 20-16 early in the second half.

But Owasso took advantage of frequent trips to the free throw line to pull away at the end.

Owasso hit 12-of-17 free throws while the Po-Hi girls were 1-of-4.

Tara Cries For Ribs had six points, Jennas Wedd five, Aubrey Kelly four, Lindsi Frederick four, Cara Cusack three and Angela Kana two.