From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, May
5, 1997
LOCAL
Rural Ponca City Youth Dies in Crash
Nearly News
United Way Letters Honor Outstanding Volunteers
Response To Honor Sullins 'Fantastic'
'Opera a la Carte' Heading Here For Performance at The Poncan
Planning Commission Meets Tuesday Night
Tourism Week May 4-10 Finds PCTA Busy
Police Officers Nab Suspects
Closing of Streets Public Hearing Set
DEATHS
Kenneth Clyde Moore
Leo Andrew Coffee
Rosemary Taylor Thomas
Jerry Adam Gonser
Services Pending
Kristopher Jenkins
Rosa M. Reisch
Audis Sullivan
Funerals
Harold A. Rose
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Osteoporosis Awareness Meetings Set
Eta Delta Plans Salad Supper
CWF Program On Middle East
SPORTS
PC Ends Season In Funk
By The Associated Press
An elderly Cleveland, Okla., man and a Kaw City boy were killed in separate accidents on Oklahoma roads, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.
Arly Karraker, 86, apparently had a heart attack as he was driving north on Oklahoma 66 about 10:20 a.m. Sunday, troopers said.
His car crossed the center median before coming to rest in some brush.
Kristopher C. Jenkins, 12, was killed when the motorcycle he was riding was hit by a car Sunday morning 1.5 miles west of Waverly Street on old U.S. 60 in Kay County.
Troopers said the boy was riding in a ditch along the highway when he turned into the roadway, crossing into the path of a station wagon.
The driver of the station wagon was not injured.
The boy was not wearing a helmet, troopers said.
Families joined their neighbors at Dan Moran Park to enjoy food and fellowship at the westside block party and community gathering Saturday. Thanks to support and efforts of city employees, local businesses and citizen volunteers the evening was a success.
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Ponca City Mayor Marilyn Andrews appeared in the April 28, edition of the Nation's Cities Weekly, related to her work on the upcoming Congress of Cities and Exposition, which will be held in Philadelphia, Pa., in December. Andrews chairs the National League of Cities committee coordinating the conference.
Editors Note: In recognition of National Volunteer Month, the Ponca City United Way requested nominations in April from Ponca City citizens for outstanding volunteers in the community. Three of the letters received are presented below.
Terri Hadley
Terri Hadley has been the ProTeen's volunteer finance chairman for 11 years, making possible that groups 501 charitable organization tax exemption status since 1985.
Terri attends monthly board meetings, provides excellent records, and completes the required annual United Way budget. She also chaperones weekend activities at the Grand Central Station teen center when needed.
Through her influence, her business partners, David Baskin and Ron Stevens and their employees have been also been faithful volunteers at each of the six Grand Central Station Chocolate Festivals.
Terri's outstanding financial management capabilities, integrity and dedication have been responsible for much of the success enjoyed by this United Way organization dedicated to the teenagers of Ponca City.
(submitted by Jan Merrifield, ProTeens Executive Director.)
Joe Hoyle
I would like to submit Joe Hoyle as an outstanding volunteer. As described by his wife and daughter, Joe is kind and gentle, a solid and reliable family man, always there when needed to lend support.
Joe currently works about 100 hours per month on volunteer activities. At Habitat for Humanity, Joe helped remodel four houses and still found time to serve at AARP with state and federal income taxes assistance for the elderly.
Boy Scouts of America has a special place in Joe's heart. A member for 24 years, he served in many positions and on numerous committees at unit, district and council levels. He is currently serving as round table commissioner, unit commissioner for four units, Cub World chairman and on the council banquet committee.
Joe has been a member of Northeast Baptist church for 32 years, where he has served as church treasurer for 29 years. He has also traveled on three mission projects in the past four years.
A member of RSVP, a United Way Agency, Joe serves our community abundantly. Joe is retired from Conoco. He and wife Judy have two children and three grandchildren.
Volunteers like Joe make our world a better place to live.
(Submitted by Deanne Fogleman)
Hospice Volunteers
April 13-16, 1997 was National Volunteer Week and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people I believe are some of the most dedicated volunteers in our community - the volunteers of Hospice of Ponca City.
Most people know that Hospice provides a very special kind of care for terminally ill persons and their families, but it's less known that if it were not for volunteers in our community, Hospice of Ponca City could not function.
Locally, more than 150 persons donated their service to Hospice of Ponca City in the last year. No task is too big or too small for our volunteers. Our volunteers help in the office, at fund raisers, serve on the board of directors, deliver medical equipment or simply "be there" for the patients and families - to reassure them they are not alone, to hold a hand, to offer a smile, or to just listen. It is not easy work, but the personal rewards are enormous. The strength and courage of patients provide a constant source of inspiration and volunteers usually feel they gain more than they have been able to give.
We want to extend a gracious "thank you" to all the volunteers of Hospice of Ponca City for the wealth of time and compassion they give. They truly are the "Heart of Hospice!"
(From Tammie S. Barnes, Volunteer Coordinator, Hospice of Ponca City)
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
"What a joy it has been to put together the event to honor Coach Earl Sullins Tuesday night. The response has been fantastic, some 2,500 former students and athletes from 1940-1960 have been invited," says Chuck Bowman, who with Tom Catlin, has spearheaded the event.
Added to the special guests list are Perry's great Danny Hodge, Oklahoma University coaches Merv Johnson, Don Jimerson, Port Robertson, Jerry Pettibone, and Leon Cross. OSU Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips and Mrs. Phillips as well as Coach Eddie Sutton and Mrs. Sutton.
Bowman noted that letters have come from all over America to paying tribute to "our" coach. Some are coming from 1,500 miles away.
Bowman said, "Our greatest fear is that the citizens of Ponca City will miss this event. Every mom and dad who has youngsters coming through the school system should be in Robson Fieldhouse at 7:30 p.m. on May 6. The future of Ponca City's athletic programs could be determined that night, by the witness of its past.
"The tradition of Po-Hi athletics will be on display. There will be no other time like it. This is your chance to see history revisited and the future encouraged."
Bowman added, "Three thousand people can get in Robson Fieldhouse. The price of admission for adults is $5, students and children free. If you don't have $5, come anyway. The funds raised are going to young people; but if you don't have the money, come on."
Some of the greatest names in Po-Hi sports including Lu Clinton, Jon Kennedy, Fred Clarke, Dick Powell, Ray and Carl Balcer, Al Cassingham, George Boring, Tom Holliday, Jerry Nicks, Max Cobb, Jim Barnes, Charles Casey, Ted Hayden, Tom Ross, Jack Rein, Gene Mullin, and many others will attend.
One of the Nation's finest G&S companies, "Opera a la Carte," is bringing "The Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan" to Ponca City. "This company is truly exceptional," says Kenn Wessel, director of the Poncan Theatre. "They've become a huge success in very short time."
Opera a la Carte was founded in 1970 by noted British Gilbert and Sullivan specialist Richard Sheldon. Their first performance was at the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts in Southern California. Five years later, they mounted their first full-scale production in conjunction with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra.
Now they've arrived: after glowing reviews from the Los Angeles press, notably the LA Times and the Herald Examiner, the company has experienced sudden fame on national tours.
Wessel says that the company is known for its authentic style. He says that "G&S are masters of musical comedy - it's great to see their wit reappear in the great writers from Cole Porter to Sondheim." Gilbert and Sullivan loved to poke fun at the puffed-up preventions of the Victorian era. "The results are hilarious, and just as funny today," he says.
"Many, many people just can't get enough of this stuff," Wessel says,. "I've had calls from California by people who want to see them here at the Poncan," he notes. "And one caller who just moved from California to Oklahoma City actually phoned the company back on the coast to see if they were coming to the southwest. He was thrilled to find them in Ponca City."
Opera a la Carte brings "The Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan" to the Poncan Theatre on May 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8, $10 and $12 and are available at Ponca City banks. They will also be available at the door.
Two Permissive on Review Permits are on the Planning Commission's agenda for the 7 p.m.. Tuesday meeting at the Public Safety Center.
The first is a Permissive Use Permit for Sunset Baptist Church bus garage. The request is for Lots 1 through 8, Block 18 Sunset Addition 1012 West Greenwood. The request is by owner of the property, Sunset Baptist Church.
The second request for Permissive Use is for Kang's Martial Arts Studio. The location is 811 East Highland. The request is for All of Lots 17-20, Block 13, Broadball Addition. The request is by owner of the property Capshaw Agency.
The week of May 4 through 10 has been proclaimed National Tourism Week, Oklahoma Tourism Week and Mayor Marilyn Andrews has also issued a proclamation recognizing tourism week.
Members of the Ponca City Tourism Authority have been hosting at the Blackwell I-35 Tourism Center welcoming tourists during this week, according to Missy Morland, coordinator.
Mayor Andrews proclamation tells that the travel and tourism industry carries tremendous importance for the City of Ponca City, contributing to employment, economic prosperity, international trade and relations, peace, understanding, and goodwill.
The proclamation says further "Every citizen benefits from the effects of travel and tourism. The industry substantially enhances our personal growth and education, while promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation of our city's geography, history and culture."
Ponca City's opportunity for drawing tourists got better this week with the dedication of the Postal Murals in the U.S. Post Office. Ten new murals have been hung in the Post Office lobby.
Ponca City police officers nabbed two men believed to be involved in a burglary in the 2200 block of North Fourteenth Street Sunday.
At 7:05 p.m., Ponca City telecommunication officers received a phone in alarm for Drug Warehouse, 2211 North Fourteenth Street. The alarm company reported someone had broken into the pharmacy and stole drugs.
All officers were advised that the suspects left the business heading north in a small blue vehicle, which was located about an hour later.
Five police officers responded and took a 43-year-old man and a 38-year-old man into custody for burglary and grand larceny.
A public hearing will be held by the Ponca City Traffic Commission on the closure of three streets in the Conoco greenbelt area, Tuesday. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue.
Citizens can present their comments to the commission on the closing of the following streets:
- Brunswick Avenue, Lucas Street to Seventh Street.
- Coolidge Avenue, Lucas Street to Mercer Street.
- Mercer Street, Lucas Street to Coolidge Avenue.
Conoco requested the closings to create a walking trail through the area.
DEATHS
MOUNTAIN VIEW - Kenneth Clyde Moore, former longtime Chilocco Indian School teacher, died Sunday morning, May 4, 1997, at his son's home in Tulsa. He was 80.
Wake services will be held at 7 p.m. today at the McClendon Funeral Home in Okmulgee and at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church in Mountain View. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church in Mountain View. Burial will be in Old Rainy Mountain Cemetery at Mountain View under the direction of Pitcher-Hackney Funeral Home, Carnegie.
Kenneth Clyde Moore was born May 7, 1916, at Halfmoon Ranch in Okmulgee County, the son of William and Eva Leona (Matlock) Moore. He was a descendent of prominent Creek Nation ancestors. He attended Euchee Indian Boarding School and graduated from Chilocco Indian School. He graduated with two degrees including a masters in education from Oklahoma A&M in 1947.
From January 1942 to January 1946, during World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central European theaters. His medals included the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the European, African, and Middle Eastern campaign medals. He has honorably discharged at the rank of Captain in 1946.
Moore began his teaching career at Marlow in 1947 and later taught at Anadarko and Riverside Indian School. In 1954 he began teaching at Chilocco, retiring in May 1980. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Chilocco Indian School Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Oklahoma Coaches Association, the Kiowa Gourd Clan at Carnegie, and was a 32nd Degree Mason.
Survivors include his wife, Loraine, of the home in Morris; one son, John R., of Tulsa; one daughter, Elizabeth L. Palmer, Arkansas City, Kan.; six brothers, John Jr. of Macon, Ga., Thomas E. of Okmulgee, Edwin S. of Muskogee, Marcy M. of Concharty, Glenn M. Sr. of Morris, and Lawrence R. of Okmulgee; three granddaughters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, Napoleon Bonaparte II, Kelly R., Maurice, and Willie Moore.
NEWKIRK - Leo Andrew Coffee, longtime Newkirk area farmer, died Sunday morning, May 4, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City. He was 83.
The funeral has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Newkirk First Christian Church with Dr. William R. Chace, minister of the Newkirk First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial is to follow in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. Friends may visit at the funeral home until noon, Tuesday, then the casket will be closed.
Leo Andrew Coffee was born March 24, 1914, on a horse ranch near Glendo, Wyo. At an early age, he moved with his family to Missouri, where he attended elementary school. He then moved with the family to Blackwell, where he continued his education and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1932. After graduation, Coffee remained in Blackwell where he owned and operated a Phillips 66 service station.
On Nov. 23, 1935, he was married to Mary Alice Browning in Guthrie and the couple established their home in Blackwell. In 1940, they moved to a farm northeast of Newkirk, where they raised wheat, and operated a custom hay baling business and dairy farm. Coffee retired in the 1970s, but continued to live on the farm. He was a member of the Newkirk First Christian Church and the Blackwell IOOF Lodge.
Survivors include one son, Robert L. "Bob" Coffee of Newkirk. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice, in 1989; one son, Jerry Michael; and his parents.
Casket bearers will be George Stuever, Jerrold Dark, Gerald Boyer, Larry Layton, Jim Deakins and Curtis Grace.
Rosemary Taylor Thomas, Ponca City resident, died Saturday evening, May 3, 1997, at the Broadway Plaza. She was 69.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, at Osage Heights Baptist Church, with the Rev. Leon Grider, officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Rosemary (Taylor) Thomas was born Nov. 9, 1927, in Choctaw, the daughter of Melvin L. and Letha Elizabeth (Perkins) Taylor. She graduated from Oklahoma City Capital Hill High School in 1944 and later attended Northern Oklahoma College.
She was married to Norman Edmond Thomas on Dec. 2, 1983. Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Osage Heights Baptist Church and the Eastern Star Lodge. She enjoyed crocheting, ceramics, needle work and traveling.
Survivors include one daughter, Kathy Dunn of Murchison, Texas; one son, Ronald A. May of Bedford, Texas; one sister, Ann Davis of Harrah; three grandchildren; and four great-great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter, Carol Ann May; her parents; and one sister, Bobbie Jean Basham.
Casket bearers will be Charlie Abel, Matt Loeffer, Lewis Thomas, Greg May, Bud Jones and Tommy Music. Honorary bearers will be Bryan Brooks, Davee Davis, Carl Cartledge and John Bowman.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Thomas' name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
BLACKWELL - Jerry Adam Gonser, former Blackwell resident, died Friday, May 2, 1997, at St. Joseph Medical Center, Wichita, Kan. He was 30.
The funeral was to be held at 10 a.m. today at the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell, with the Rev. Wayne Bookout, Blackwell First Church of God, officiating. Burial will be in the Braman (Okla.) Cemetery.
Jerry Adam Gonser was born March 31, 1967, in Wichita, the son of Arthur Gerald and Darlene (Whittum) Gonser. He grew up in Blackwell, attending Blackwell Public Schools. Due to ill health, Gonser was only able to work at part-time jobs.
He was married to Dorothy Potter in August 1995, in Wichita, Kan., and the couple established their home in Kingman, Kan. He was a member of the Kingman Assembly of God Church.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Gonser of Kingman, Kan.; one step-daughter, Jackie Lowery of Kingman, Kan.; his parents, Mrs. Darlene Smith of Wichita, Kan., and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gonser of Siloam Springs, Ark.; seven sisters, Sonya Smith, Tonya Jones, Opal Smith and Sondra Smith, all of Wichita, Kan., Wanda Flemming of Wellington, Kan., Rita Hanson of Pratt, Kan., and Georgetta Walker of El Dorado, Kan.; six brothers, George Smith, Michael Smith and Elvis Smith, all of Wichita, Kan., Steve Gonser of Siloam Springs, Ark., Arthur Gonser Jr. of Chance, Okla., and Kenny Gonser of Westville; and one grandchild.
Casket bearers will be Art Gonser, Kenny Gonser, Steve Gonser, Jason Giocabetti, Bill Flemming and George Smith Jr.
Kristopher Jenkins, rural Ponca City resident, died Sunday morning, May 4, 1997, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 12. Survivors include his parents, Kevin and Patricia Jenkins. Arrangements are pending with Miller-Stahl Funeral Service in Newkirk.
Rosa M. Reisch, former Ponca City resident, died early this morning, May 5, 1997, at Hillcrest Medical Center, Tulsa. She was 93. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.
Audis Sullivan, Ponca City resident, died Sunday, May 4, 1997, at the Oklahoma Memorial Health Center in Ardmore. He was 84. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.
Tuesday
Harold A. Rose - Funeral to be held at 10 a.m. at Eastern Heights Christian
Church. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction
of Trout Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Mid-High Dance - Ponca City Mid-High Cheerleaders will sponsor an "End
of School Dance" for all sixth through ninth grade students at Unity
Gym Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Garden Council - Members of the Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs will meet at the Cann Garden Home May 7 at 9:30 a.m. Featured speaker will be Jim Eck who will discuss "Future Plans for Cann Memorial Gardens." More information about the meeting may be obtained by calling 765-1689.
Klinger Reunion - The annual Klinger Family Reunion will be held at the Kildare School Cafeteria on May 18, 1997. A covered dish lunch will be held at noon. Beverages, paper plates, cups, napkins and silverware will be furnished. Call (405) 765-6319 for more information.
Failure to Pay - Two Ponca City police officers responded to a call of two women allegedly intoxicated at Oak Street and West Grand Avenue at 7:03 a.m. Saturday. A 23-year-old woman was taken into custody for public intoxication and failure to pay. At 7:55 a.m., a 19-year-old woman was arrested for public intoxication and failure to appear.
Under Suspension - A 26-year-old man was arrested at West Oklahoma Avenue and South Pine Street at 1:46 p.m. Saturday for driving under suspension.
Arrested From Traffic Stop - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 48-year-old woman in the 700 block of East Hubbard Road at 5:13 p.m. Saturday for driving under suspension, speeding and no insurance.
Accident - Ponca City telecommunication officers received notice of an accident that occurred in the 3000 block of Kelly Avenue at 5:57 p.m. Saturday. A Ponca City ambulance and a rescue unit responded, however, no injuries required medical attention. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper was advised to investigate the accident.
City Warrant - A Ponca City police officer took a 24-year-old man into custody at South Second Street and East South Avenue at 11:49 p.m. for public intoxication and a city warrant.
Assault - A Ponca City police officer responded to a call of a problem at Oak Street and West Grand Avenue at 12:09 a.m. Sunday. The caller reported that four men approached three subjects and assaulted two of them. The officer took a report.
Petit Larceny - A 38-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at Oak Street and West Grand Avenue at 7:43 a.m. Sunday on a city warrant for petit larceny.
Found - A resident in the 300 block of South Eighth Street notified the Ponca City Police Department at 10:48 a.m. Sunday to report an abandoned bike.
Vehicle Fire - Marland Fire Department responded to a car on fire 13 miles south on U.S. 177 at 11:31 a.m. Sunday, according to Ponca City telecommunication officers.
Fire - Ponca City telecommunication officers paged the Kaw Fire Department to respond to a fire in the 100 block of Oak Street in Kaw City.
Warrants Served - A Ponca City police officer arrested two 19-year-old women in the 1200 block of South Fourth Street at 3:39 p.m. Sunday on city warrants for failure to appear.
Grass Fire - McCord Fire Department responded at 5:11 p.m. Sunday
to a small grass fire four miles south of U.S. 60 on Three Mile Road, according
to Ponca City telecommunication officers.
LIFESTYLES
Twenty million American women have osteoporosis. Do you?
To help you answer that question, the Oklahoma State & Education Employees Group Insurance Board's health insurance program, HealthChoice, is sponsoring a series of Osteoporosis Awareness Meetings across the state. The meetings are a public service and attendance is free of charge or obligation. In Ponca City, a meeting will be held on May 13 at 4 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Ponca City Public Library.
Osteoporosis is a disease that gradually weakens bones so they become more and more fragile and likely to break. Affecting women 45 years of age and over, osteoporosis commonly leads to fractures of the spine, wrist and hip. These fractures can lead to pain, disability and loss of independence. In fact, there is up to 20% excess mortality among women with hip fractures within one year of the fracture.
But, osteoporosis is a treatable and preventable disease. The HealthChoice Osteoporosis Awareness Meeting offers women, 45 years of age and over, the opportunity to learn about osteoporosis, associated risk factors, and diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The meetings will be conducted by health care professionals who will discuss the course of the disease and inform participants about such topics as the impact of diet and calcium intake, beneficial effects of exercise, treatment options, and how, possibly, to lower the risk of fracture.
Women who are at risk for osteoporosis will be able to register for bone mineral density tests as appropriate. During June, which is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, HealthChoice will be making bone density testing available to those HealthChoice plan participants who are at risk for osteoporosis. The cost of this testing in June will be a $15 co-payment at any participating Network Provider. This test is safe, fast, painless and requires no special preparation.
HealthChoice encourages you to attend one of the awareness workshops near you, and learn your risk level for this debilitating disease. If you have questions about this Osteoporosis Awareness effort, please contact the HealthChoice Wellness Division at 1800-318-BEOK(2365).
Eta Delta chapter members of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met recently in the home of Carol Mounts. Cecelia Schieber presided at the business session, Cheryl Ramsey read the minutes, and Betty Wyatt gave the treasurer's report.
Announcement was made that the Beta Bud basket would begin the year with Nancy Pryse. Paula Harryman won the door prize. Correspondence was read from Hospice and from Mrs. Schieber.
Following the installation of officers for 1997-98 new president Sylvia Smith made arrangements for committees and meetings. The next meeting will be a salad supper May 12 hosted by Wanda Sheehan.
Irises and other Spring flowers decorated the luncheon tables for the May 1 meeting of the Christian Women's Fellowship at First Christian Church. Sue Laird played a musical medley as members and guests gathered in the fellowship hall.
Ethel Jorgenson, president, opened the meeting by reading Psalm 16 and the invocation was given by Sondra Tilsley. Lorraine Shiflet, program chairman, introduced the Rev. Denny Hook, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, who was the guest speaker. The Reverend Mr. Hook has made several trips to the Middle East and he discussed the conflict among the people there.
Mildred Tapp gave the devotional and an offering for the Child Development
Center was taken. The meeting concluded with recitation of the CWF Benediction.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
After a stretch this season of going 19-3, Ponca City's seventh-ranked Wildcat baseballers ended the regular season 0-3. Ponca City squandered a six-run lead against U.S. Grant here Friday and lost 8-7. The Cats then traveled to second-ranked Edmond North Saturday and were defeated twice, 6-0 and 9-4.
Ponca City will take a 21-8 record and a No. 1 seed into Tuesday's regional tournament despite the recent slump. The Cats face Frontier Conference rival Sand Springs at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The tournament opens with second-seeded Union playing Tulsa Memorial at noon.
"The players were really tired," head coach Roydon Tilley offered Saturday night following Po-Hi's losses at Edmond North. The Cats traveled to both Tulsa Hale and Broken Arrow Thursday, came back to host Grant Friday and then headed down I-35 to meet a very quality North squad.
"When we got on the bus to go home I didn't hear anything out of them (the players). Most of them fell asleep pretty fast," Tilley said.
Ponca City ran into a hot pitcher in the opening game Saturday as Matt Roney threw a no-hitter, striking out 13 Wildcats in seven innings. Roney's only mistakes all day were two hit batsmen.
Junior Justin Thomas made just his second appearance on the mound this season and took the loss to fall to 1-1. He allowed 5 runs on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Only three of the runs were earned. Brad Taylor pitched the final inning, giving up 1 run on 2 hits with a walk.
North hung its first run on he board in the third inning and that proved enough for Roney.
In the second game, North struck quickly with four first-inning runs against starting pitcher Jason Ross. Only one of those runs was earned as a two-out error opened the door for the big inning.
Ross (2-1) allowed another earned run in the fourth before giving way to Jay Bentley. None of the three runs the Huskies scored against Bentley were earned as the Cats continued to make costly mistakes.
North ended up scoring five times in the fourth to turn a 4-1 lead into a 9-1 rout. Ponca City then came back to plate one run in the fifth and two more in the seventh to account for the final five-run margin.
Ponca City scored its first run of the game on an RBI single by Chris Koenig in the second. That hit plated Ross, who opened the inning with a single and stole second.
In the fifth, J.R. Fry reached on a fielder's choice and scored on Justin Thomas' RBI double. Fry also scored in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Rocky Hughes and a Ross single plated Thomas with the final run.
Although the Cats closed out the regular season on a three-game losing streak, they still became the first Ponca City team to ever win 21 regular season games. The 1989 team won 20 regular season games (one by forfeit) as did the 1995 team.
Ponca City will now try to end a string of regional tournament failures that includes five consecutive losses. The last two Po-Hi teams have gone 0-2 in the regional tournament.
The last Ponca City team to win a regional was the 1973 squad.