LOCAL

Nearly News
Dallas Group Heads to Festival of Lights in P.C.

Nearly News

Those traveling to and from Union Street Elementary School are reminded that as of today access to the school will be available only from the north and Prospect Avenue. In addition, Lora Avenue, the Harmony Baptist Church drive and the north drive into the Opportunity Center will be closed while construction for Phase III of the Union Street widening project.

Ponca Citian Betty Brown called NN today to remind us of the dedication of the All Veterans Highway sign which will be dedicated at the Blackwell rest area at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Betty thought Ponca Citians, especially veterans and their families would be interested in being part of this dedication.

Dallas Group Heads to Festival of Lights in P.C.

Ponca City and the Festival Of Angels is becoming well known in Dallas, Texas. While visiting their daughter, Linda Keffer, and her family Thanksgiving, Roy and Bessie Essary noticed a sign at the intersection of Beltline Road and Hillcrest Drive in the northern section of Dallas announcing a tour to Ponca City for the “Festival of Lights.”

Upon seeing the sign in front of the Fretz Park Recreation Center, the Essarys decided to go inside and thank the person responsible.

They met Georgie Ann Davis, seniors coordinator for Fretz Park Seniors of Dallas, who had received information about Ponca City’s Christmas angels and “Festival of Lights” from Missy Morland and Kathy Adams at a Seniors Information Fair. Morland, tourism coordinator in the Ponca City Tourism Office, and Adams, president of the board of directors of the Festival of Angels, were at the fair and presented information about the Festival of Angels and other activities associated with the festival.

According to Davis, the group heard information from a large number of other cities, but the Ponca City group made the presentation so very interesting they chose a tour to Ponca City. Davis also has received many phone calls from people wanting to know the location of Ponca City.

There will be 30 seniors visiting with the tour which will be in Ponca City Tuesday and Wednesday. The tour group will stay at the Marland Mansion and tour the Cultural Center, Poncan Theatre, Standing Bear Memorial Park, Marland Mansion, Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum, as well as the Festival of Angels. The tour is sponsored by the Fretz Park Recreation Center and produced by Byron Cain’s M&M Tours.

DEATHS

Henry Robert Jenkins
Eva Sylvia Kihega
Linda Charlene Johns
Charlie Eugene Bruce
Michael Ray Burgell
Zelphia Goodman
Eula Campbell
Fred B. Winslow
Myrtle Gracie Welch
Jimmie Dale Mollet

Henry Robert Jenkins

TONKAWA — Henry Robert Jenkins, resident of Tonkawa, died Saturday afternoon, Nov. 28, 1998, in the St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 56.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at the Tonkawa Bible Church in Tonkawa with the Revs. Thomas Roughface and Dennis Winters officiating. Burial will follow in the Tonkawa Indian Cemetery under the direction of the Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Henry Robert Jenkins was born March 20, 1942, in Mountainview, the son or Henry A. and Viola (Tah) Jenkins. He moved with his parents to Tonkawa when he was a small child and grew up there and attended Tonkawa schools. Following his schooling he entered Okmulgee Tech at Okmulgee and received training in diesel mechanics. Following his training, he was employed with Boecking Machinery in Oklahoma City for 23 years.

Jenkins married Linda Jean Mayfield on Aug. 27, 1984, in Oklahoma City where they settled. They later moved to Southington, Conn., where they lived for seven years. He retired in 1995 and returned to Tonkawa in 1998. He had served in Battery “C” of the 189th Field Artillery of the 45th Division at Tonkawa for many years. He was past president of a Lions Club in Oklahoma City, member of the American Legion Huff Minor Post 14 of Ponca City, and was a descendent of the Apache-Tonkawa tribes.

He is survived by his wife of the home; one daughter, Martha Shafawn Clement of Muskogee; one son, William Free Jenkins of Wagoner; one sister, Marie Gieb of Quartz Site, Ariz.; three brothers, Harvey Jenkins of Tonkawa, Claude Jenkins of Apache, and Ralph Jenkins of Seattle, Wash.; and one granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jack and Clarence Jenkins; and two sisters, Phyllis Pino and Gladys Kumble.

Casket bearers will be Donovan Tah, Mathew Sheeder, Bobby Schoenleber, Melton Hamilton, Sonny Burns, Larry Davis, Gary Davis and Jim Fitch.

Eva Sylvia Kihega

MARLAND — Eva Sylvia Kihega, longtime Marland resident, died early Saturday morning, Nov. 28, 1998, in her home. She was 64.

An evening prayer service will be held at Grace Memorial Chapel at 7 p.m. Monday. A funeral will be conducted at Grace Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Louis V. Headman, pastor of the Ponca Indian Church of The Nazarene, officiating. Burial will follow in the Ponca Indian Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Eva Sylvia (Poore) Kihega was born in a tent on the Ponca Indian Reservation now known as White Eagle on Feb. 19, 1934, the daughter of James and Ella (Smith) Poore. She attended schools in Marland, graduating from the Marland High School in 1952. She married Robert Kihega on July 23, 1967, in Ponca City, making their home in Marland. She was affiliated with the Marland Homemakers Club as well as a member of the Ponca Indian Church of The Nazarene and was a proud member of the Ponca Tribe. She enjoyed reading, American Indian dances, and her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of the home; two daughters, Lena and Audrey Gawhega, both of Marland; one son, Thomas Gawhega of Marland; one sister, Harriet Adam; three grandchildren; and numerous other relatives. She was preceded in death by one son, Raymond C. Gawhega III, and one brother, Sidney Poore.

Casket bearers will be Jack Adams, Miles Bender, Thomas Gawhega, Travis Lightfoot, Tyrone Poore, and Gary Scott. Honorary casket bearers will be Bob Kihega, and Sid Wooten.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union Street, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.

The family will be at the home, 501 West Fourth Street, in Marland to receive friends and relatives.

Linda Charlene Johns

ARKANSAS CITY — Linda Charlene Johns, resident of Arkansas City, Kan., died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at Medicalodge East in Arkansas City. She was 48.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at the Hawks Funeral Home, and Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Francis Cox officiating. Burial will be in the Parker Cemetery of Arkansas City.

Linda Charlene Johns was born July 21, 1950, in Arkansas City, Kan., the daughter of Charles F. and Wilma Pingry Demaree. She married Curtis Dale Johns on Aug. 10, 1985, in Newkirk. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Arkansas City.

She is survived by her husband of the home; two sons, Michael Merchant of Fairfax and Tracey Johns of Arkansas City; two daughters, Mindy Nicole Johns and Stormie RaeNae of the home; her mother and stepfather, Wilma and Sadie Voth of Arkansas City; two brothers, Ricky Demaree of Arkansas City and Danny Brubaker of Medicine Lodge, Kan.; and four grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father.

Friends may call at the funeral home Monday evening until 8 p.m.

Charlie Eugene Bruce

NEWKIRK — Charlie Eugene Bruce, resident of Choctaw, died Thursday, Nov. 26, 1998, in Hardy, Ark. He was 63.

A graveside service was to be held 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at Newkirk Cemetery with the Rev. Danny W. Cornish officiating. Local arrangements were under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service of Newkirk. Military honors were conducted by the honor guard from Tinker Air Force Base.

Charlie Eugene Bruce was born Oct. 30, 1935, in Monette, Ark., the son of Kirk Austin and Rosetta Temple Bruce. He grew up and attended school at Childress, Ark. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1959.

He married Joan Hess on March 8, 1977, in Oklahoma City, and they made their home in Choctaw. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1979 and was employed by the U.S. Civil Service Commission where he retired in January of 1995. He enjoyed traveling, antiquing and landscaping.

He is survived by his wife of the home; his father, Kirk Austin Bruce of Jonesboro, Ark.; one son, Ronnie Bruce of Monette Ark.; three sisters, Virginia Lucille Cobert of Jonesboro, Ark., Angela Johnson of Williford, Ark., and Stephanie Tolley of Susanville, Calif.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother.

Obituaries

Michael Ray Burgell

Michael Ray Burgell, 7528 East Hubbard Road, died Friday, Nov. 27, 1998, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 42.

The funeral will be Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Trout Funeral Home with the Rev. John Michalicka, pastor, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Longwood Cemetery.

Born Feb. 15, 1956, at Vicksburg, Miss., he was the son of Glen Dale and Eileen Mary Montgomery Burgell. He graduated from high school at Stevensville, Mich., and later took nurses training at Northern Oklahoma College.

At the time of his death, he was employed by Kelly Construction working at Conoco. He had also worked as a drug and alcohol counselor in Arkansas City. He was a member of Local 357 BTJ Pipefitters Union, Kalamazoo, Mich.

He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, fishing, and being with his family and friends.

Surviving are his son, Jeramie Burgell, Portage, Mich.; a grandson, Jeramie Jr., Portage, Mich.; his mother, Eileen Burgell, Ponca City; and a sister, Gwynn Hazucha, Ponca City.

He was preceded in death by his father, Glen Burgell, in 1997.

Casket bearers will be Todd Dent, Billy Bussey, Jeff DeLozier, Charles Burgell, Bob Kimbrel, and Greg Gray. Byron Tribble will serve as an honorary casket bearer.

The casket will not be opened following the service; however, friends may call at the funeral home until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The family will be at 7728 East Hubbard Road.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Zelphia Goodman

Zelphia Goodman, Ponca City resident, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 85. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Eula Campbell

Eula Campbell, Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at the Tender Heart Health Care Center. She was 95. Survivors include her daughter, Louise Trout. Services are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Fred B. Winslow

Fred B. Winslow, Ponca City resident, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at Westminster Village. He was 86. Survivors include his wife, Catharine. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Myrtle Gracie Welch

Myrtle Gracie Welch, resident of Ponca City, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 84. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Jimmie Dale Mollet

Jimmie Dale Mollet, resident of Ponca City, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 66. Survivors include his wife, Mary, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

Newkirk Parade Time Changed — The Newkirk Chamber of Commerce night-time Christmas parade date has been changed from Saturday, Dec. 5 to Friday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. The change is due to the high school football playoff game. Any questions should be directed to the Chamber office in Newkirk, 362-2155.

Sandblasting, Small jobs. Wally Dungan. 718-0261 Ponca City. adv.

Title IX Meeting — The Title IX Indian Education Parent Committee will be holding a luncheon meeting at Hunan’s (900 East Prospect Avenue) on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. For further information contact Garland Kent Jr. at 762-5509 or Jo A. Lessert at 767-9500, ext. 128.

Instant Passport pictures. Graham Photo, 201 North First, 765-

4348. adv.

Christmas Concert — The Ponca Area Chamber Orchestra will present its annual Christmas Concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Poncan Theatre in downtown Ponca City. Directed by Marie Beyer, special entertainment on the program will include a number featuring “Northern Lights” childrens theater group and a special number featuring Bradley Ellis, Enid. The event also features a special audience sing-a-long Christmas Carol segment. The public is encouraged to attend.

Scottish Antiques just arrived: chest on chest, desk, floor mirror,

fire screen, and three other chests. Use our layaway plan.

Christy’s, 3005 North 14th. adv.

Accident — An accident at Oak Street and West Grand Avenue was reported to police at 9:25 a.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned.

Being Relocated, or in town for a short time. We have homes

available by the month or longer. All homes are full furnished with

appliances, furniture, linens, pots and pans. Inclusive of cable,

local phone, and utilities. Please call 580-762-7980 or 580-718-0681.

adv.

Room Damaged — At 10:46 a.m. Saturday a room at Days Inn, 1415 Bradley Avenue, was reported damaged. An officer was assigned and a destruction of private property report was taken.

Pauline's Every Monday night special. Fried chicken only- all

white meat. All you can eat, $6.50. For reservations call 765-5460.

adv.

Arrest — Police arrested a 36-year-old man at 10:46 a.m. Saturday from the 3500 block of North Union Street on two Osage County warrants.

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. adv.

Juvenile Arrested — A 17-year-old girl was arrested at 12:42 p.m. Saturday from the 300 block of North Pine Street for obstructing an officer and public intoxication.

Extra Patrol — Extra police patrol was requested at 12:50 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue due to vandalism.

Arrest — Police arrested a 43-year-old man at 2:36 p.m. Saturday at South First Street and Oklahoma Avenue for driving under suspension, no insurance and no seat belt.

Break-In — A break-in at Ponca Machine, 200 East Detroit Avenue, was reported to police at 2:47 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Tires Slashed — At 4:33 p.m. Saturday police were informed of a tire slashing incident in the 1100 block of East Otoe Avenue.

Shoplifting — Police received a call at 6:09 p.m. Saturday from a caller reporting that three people had taken some beer from Albertson’s Food and Drug, 2005 North Fourteenth Street. An officer was sent to the scene and it was determined that no theft had occurred however alcohol was taken from the subjects and they were cited.

Arrests — At 6:21 p.m. Saturday a 23-year-old woman was arrested for grand larceny and knowingly concealing stolen merchandise, a 14-year-old girl for grand larceny and a 15-year-old girl was arrested for knowingly concealing stolen merchandise, no driver’s license, reckless driving and attempting to elude in connection to a $500 shoplifting at J.C. Penney, 2005 North Fourteenth Street.

Light Vandalism — At 8:21 p.m. Saturday a man in the 400 block of South Washington advised police that his Christmas lights had been vandalized.

Stolen Decorations — Two residents in the 400 block of South Washington Street notified police at 8:51 p.m. and 9:01 p.m. Saturday of stolen Christmas decorations. Reports were taken.

Broken Window — At 10:26 p.m. Saturday a broken window was reported in the 2000 block of North Union Street. An officer was assigned.

Gas Drive-Off — A $2.10 gas drive-off at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, was reported at 2:21 p.m. Sunday.

Juvenile Assault — A woman in the 1000 block of South Fifth Street contacted police at 10:47 p.m. Saturday reporting that her son had been hit with a tire tool. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — At 6:37 a.m. Sunday police were called to the Citgo, 400 East South Avenue, after a clerk reported a theft.

Arrest — Police arrested a 35-year-old man at 3:16 p.m. Sunday from the 400 block of North Oak Street for domestic assault and battery.

Stolen Bike — A woman in the 300 block of Warwick Road called police at 3:18 p.m. Sunday reporting theft of a dirt bike. A report was taken.

Auto Burglary — At 11:18 p.m. Saturday an auto burglary at the Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Road was reported to police. A purse was reportedly stolen.

Accident — A vehicular accident at North Fourteenth Street and Shirlee Avenue was reported to police at 11:21 p.m. Saturday.

Windows Broken — At 11:27 p.m. Saturday a woman in the 400 block of East Brookfield Avenue called police after the windows in the back of her house had been broken. A police report was taken.

Arrest — A 25-year-old woman was arrested at 3:50 p.m. Sunday from the 400 block of North Oak Street for violation of ex parte order.

Arrest — A 40-year-old man was arrested at 12:06 a.m. Sunday from the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street for driving under the influence and no insurance.

Beer Theft — At 1:39 a.m. Sunday a clerk at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, reported the theft of a 30-pack of beer and some chips. An officer was assigned.

Accident — A accident at North Union Street and Prospect Avenue was reported to police at 3:49 a.m. Sunday. A report was taken.

Restroom Vandalism — Vandalism to the restrooms at the Ponca City Country Club Golf Pro Shop was reported to police at 4:18 p.m. Sunday.

Burglary — Police were called to the 800 block of North Third Street after a man reported that his vehicle had been burglarized. A report was taken.

AWOL Patient — At 4:51 a.m. Sunday a man with an I.V. in his arm was reported at North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue. The man was found to be a patient missing from the hospital.

Stolen Bike — At 4 p.m. Sunday a bike was reported stolen from the 1300 block of North Fourth Street.

Yard Vandalism — At 2:26 p.m. Sunday a man in the 1700 block of Rose Lane contacted police after someone reportedly drove through his yard. An officer was assigned.

Window Broken — A woman in the 700 block of North Elm Street contacted police at 7:51 a.m. Sunday reporting that the windows of her pickup truck had been broken out during the night.

Attempted Break-In — At 2:01 a.m. Monday a woman called police reporting that someone had possibly tried to break into her vehicle while it was parked in the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street.

Building Vandalism — At 9:42 a.m. Sunday police were advised of vandalism to the Perkins Restaurant, 2125 North Fourteenth Street. A report was taken and extra patrol was assigned.

LIFESTYLES

Silent Auction To Be Held During Gala
Pioneer Area Quilt Guild Holds Annual Christmas Luncheon
Little News

Silent Auction To Be Held During Gala

The Arts and Humanities Council is gearing up again for the silent auction to be held during the 1998 Marland Mansion Gala on Saturday.

The silent auction is sponsored by the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council with all proceeds equally shared with the Council and the Marland Estate Commission Foundation.

Last year $8,000 was given back to the beneficiaries at the Gala auction. There will be over 68 businesses and individuals from the Kay County area which have contributed items this year.

Included in the auction will be vacation trips, accessories for the home, watercolors, oil paintings, photography sessions, Christmas wreaths and decorations, Beanie Babies, clothing, jewelry and food, according to Betsy Carter and Debra Bellmard, chairmen of the silent auction. John Friess is chairman of the Arts and Humanities Council.

The auction will be held in the Hunt Kitchen area of the Mansion from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Tickets for the Gala are now on sale at financial institutions, the Marland Mansion, the Marland Conference Center and Chamber of Commerce.

Pioneer Area Quilt Guild Holds Annual Christmas Luncheon

The Pioneer Area Quilt Guild will hold their annual Christmas Salad Luncheon Dec. 7 at the Community Christian Church, 2109 West Grand. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m.

Members are to bring a salad to serve 5 to 8 people and a serving spoon if needed. Those wishing to take part in the fabric exchange should bring a fat quarter of Christmas fabric.

Lunch will start at 11:30 a.m. Members who have finished their “Block of the Month” blocks are ask to bring all of them for Show and Share. Michiel Landers will put the blocks on display for all to enjoy.

Members should return their ticket envelops to Mary Butler. The winner for the “Road to Oklahoma” quilt will be announced. Christmas Ornaments should be given to Joyce Clegg, 1407 Reveille Drive, by Dec. 1 to be used to decorate the Art Center Christmas tree.

Hostesses Sue Roy, Mary Lou Winter, Ruth Jared, Ruby Ware and Betty Walsh should arrive by 9:30 a.m. Any other member who wishes to help will be welcome. Do not forget name tags.

Little News

Fred and Shasta Scott announce the birth of a son, Brant Logan Scott, born at 8:21 a.m. on Oct. 29, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 21 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are Barbara Reimer and Glenn Reimer of Ponca City, and paternal grandparents are Fred and Barbara Scott of Ponca City. Elvy and Jeanette Reimer of Ponca City are great-grandparents.

The baby has one brother, Blake, who is two and one-half years old.

SPORTS

Monday Evening Quarterback
Cat Cagers Look To Improve
Mavs Hold Off Neosho for Title

Monday Evening Quarterback

At the first of the football season, the fact that seven players hadn’t made the grade — literally — was of concern to the coaches and fans.

More often than not bad news makes news while players who get things done the right way don’t always receive recognition.

That all changed recently when 24 players and eight trainers-managers received awards at the annual Quarterback Club Awards Banquet for having a grade point average of 3.0 or above for the first nine weeks of the school year .

Balancing the needs of school work and athletic performance can be tough — just ask Eric Michael and Wes Murrie, who topped the lengthy list as co-winners of the Earl Sullins Scholastic Award.

Those two shared the award for having the best GPA for the previous six semesters. Both had 3.8 grade points.

“There is no secret,” Murrie said of his success in the classroom. “You have to get your assignments in on time and participate in class. It’s a lot of hard work, but its worth it. You have to manage your time well.”

“Doing the work in school is the key to keeping your grades up,” Michael added. “You just have to do what it takes.”

Doing what it takes means spending five hours a day in classes, three or four hours at practice, then an additional three or four hours on game days — not including travel time to away games.

For most, part of the weekend is also given over to athletics — all while trying to keep up some kind of social life.

As with many Po-Hi athletes, Michael and Murrie have played more than one sport. It’s football and wrestling for Michael, football and baseball for Murrie. So the pressure is almost year-around.

But the scholar-athlete prevails at Po-Hi not only in football.

In the eight years that the Oklahoma Secondary Schools activities Association has been awarding the prize, Ponca City High School teams have won four All-State Academic Awards. Last year it was the boys’ basketball team with a team 3.61 GPA.

Prior to that the award was presented to Wildcats in girls’ golf, boys’ cross country and boys’ soccer.

If it wasn’t already dead, those awards certainly put to rest any idea of the dumb jock.

“You have to be pretty smart to play now,” Michael said, noting that the complicated formations and plays take no small intellect. “You have to have your head in the game to succeed. There can’t be any second guessing out there.”

As with most Po-Hi student-athletes, Michael and Murrie plan to go on to college with playing football, or any other sport, as an option.

Michael was to visit Arizona last week as he viewed his chances with major college football teams. But he is also keeping his eye on offers from a couple of Ivy League institutions, Yale and Harvard, where playing sports is very secondary to class work.

Murrie prefers the small college atmosphere and is looking at several small schools in the state — at least for a couple of years.

Michael is contemplating going into medicine, Murrie into agriculture business.

Both have the option of athletic scholarships or academic scholarships and both have shown they have what it takes to succeed at what ever they choose to do.

In addition to Michael (4.0) and Murrie (3.5), other seniors with 3.0 GPAs for the past semester are Michael Galbreath (3.6), Matt Gray (3.0). Jared Sindelar (3.25), Tanner Ray (3.0) and Justin Thomas (3.4).

Juniors receiving scholastic awards included Wes Crosson (3.4), Harrison Freeman (3.2), Mark Goddard (3.5), Blake Geubelle (4.0), Derek Jump (3.0), Brandon Keirn (3.6) and Caleb Stevenson (3.5 )

Sophomore award winners included Casey Badley (3.0), Michael Duroy (3.4), Kyle Henderson (3.2), Mark Keller (3.6), Michael Keen (4.0), Michael Martin (3.6), Steven Michael (4.0), James Ozment (3.4), J. Michael Sharon (3.0) and Ben Steichen (3.2).

The trainers-managers, who may spend even more time at the football facilities than the players, include senior Markesha Guess, Michaele Hintergardt and Marcie Lee. The juniors are Stacey Hobbs, Kambra Nance, Brittany Parker and Mindy Worley.The lone sophomore is Micah Thompson.

Cat Cagers Look To Improve

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

After various and sundry summer camps and clinics, a parade of fall scrimmages and weeks of practice, the Po-Hi basketballers will launch into the regular season on Tuesday, traveling to Jenks. The boys game will start at 6:15, while the girls will tip off at 7:45.

Leading the charge once again will be second year coaches Dana Pulley (girls) and Ron Arthur (boys), two of the youngest and most eminently likable coaches in town. Both are quick with a joke, laugh a lot, and know how to keep things in perspective when the chips are down.

With the Cats (8-15) and Lady Cats (7-16) finishing out of contention last season, those good-natured ways came in handy. Still, it’s a new model year, and both coaches hope that a somewhat deflated Frontier Conference combined with improved players on the home front will make for a highly successful season.

The Opponents — Last year, the Frontier Conference was riddled with basketball stars. Six All-staters haunted the girls’ ranks, while on the boys’ side, teams like Jenks and state runner-up Union played on another planet.

Happily, most of those stars were seniors and have gone on to pick on people their own size in the college ranks. While the conference still has its share of talent, the playing field has been leveled somewhat. On the boys’ side, No. 4 Union and No. 9 Jenks are closer to Earth (with Sapulpa joining the mix at No. 8), while the girls will face only two Top 10 ranked teams in No. 3 Union and No. 4 Jenks. Sapulpa and Owasso — two Goliaths last year — have dropped out of the Top 10.

“We’re going to be more competitive for the simple reason we don’t have six All-staters to look at,” says Pulley.

“It’s a little more balanced,” says Arthur. “It’s still going to be tough, but we have the opportunity to add a few wins.”

The Bad News — Frontier Conference foes weren’t the only ones hurt by graduation.

The Cats lost a bundle of talent which accounted for 66 percent of their scoring and 69 percent of their rebounding. Three-point ace Micah Alexander was a conference scoring leader with a 15.7 points per game, while 6-6 leapmeister Alfred Delancy (now playing at El Reno’s Redlands College) was a rebounding machine, averaging over 10 rebounds and 9.3 points per game.

The Cats also lost beef from the inside game in Ryan Treadway (7.2 ppg) and Jason Shelton (2.4 ppg), as well as a speedy guard in Ryan Meyer (5.3 ppg). Treadway plays football now at UCO.

While the Lady Cats lost six seniors, they likely won’t feel the loss as much as the boys. Only three of those were regular starters, and only one — point guard Natasha Anderson (currently playing soccer at UCO) — was a major scoring threat, averaging 10.2 points per game.

Lineups — Like last year, the Cats will be running a 4-out, 1-in, free-motion offense, and Arthur believes he has the personnel who can make it work.

Seniors Tom Engle (6-0, 170, 8.3 ppg) and Kris Shores (5-11, 160, 6.1 ppg) saw major varsity playing time last season and will return in the point and 2-guard positions, respectively. Senior Paul Broome (6-3, 165, 1.5 ppg) will start in the 3-guard position, while junior Jeff Furnas (6-2, 180, 1.4 ppg) and senior Nathan Zimmerman (6-4, 190, 1.0 ppg) will round out the starting lineup in the 4 and 5 positions.

Filling out the Top 10 will be seniors Scott Larrison (6-5, 200, 2.3 ppg), Craig Thilsted (6-4, 160), and Jeremiah Payne (6-3, 180, .9 ppg), along with juniors Brett Skaggs (6-1, 165, .5 ppg), and Blake Geubelle (5-11, 170, 1.5 ppg).

“I have confidence in those 10,” says Arthur. “(The offense) lets the players create. Our shooting isn’t bad but we have to understand shot selection, and take good shots.”

The Cats, who shot 42 percent from 2-point range and 32 percent from 3-point range, still hovered near the top of the Frontier Conference in scoring last year, with 59.9 ppg. They gave up 64.3 points per outing, however — a subject which will be addressed shortly.

As for a Lady Cat starting lineup, Pulley shares NOC coach Mick Weiberg’s sentiment regarding “starters” — namely, she doesn’t like the word.

“I’ll put in the group that can click at any given time,” she says. “Inconsistency hurt us last year with our starters.”

This year, Pulley returns the Lady Cats’ leading scorer, senior Desiree Cries-For-Ribs, who averaged 10.3 points per game and was far and away their best shooter, connecting on 41 percent from the field. The team as a whole averaged just 32 percent.

Aside from Cries-For-Ribs, however, Pulley is relatively non-committal.

“I’m excited about our depth,” she says. “I feel we’re 10-12 deep on the bench. We don’t have just one go-to girl.”

Seniors Tia Williams (3.6 ppg) and junior Alana Smith (2.3 ppg) should be featured prominently as guards, along with seniors Romi Foreman (2.1 ppg) and Gina Hile (1.9 ppg). Junior Alana Ames (1.7 ppg) and sophomore Jena Birdsong also figure prominently into the Lady Cats’ offensive equation.

Junior Laura Sudbury (1.1 ppg) should see time as a shooting forward, while taking over in last year’s demanding and rather thankless post position will be senior Jennifer Caughman (1.1 ppg) and junior Kami Schieber.

“It doesn’t matter who starts the game,” Pulley continues. “It’s who’s in there when the game is on the line.”

If there was one thorn in the Lady Cats’ paw last year, it was the lack of shooting. That 32 percent team-wide figure led to just 42.8 points per game, versus 53.5 for the opposition.

“We’ve been working on shooting a lot,” says Pulley, “and it looks good right now. Our offense is really clicking.”

Defense — The Lady Cats lived by their defense last season, creating 19.9 turnovers per game, while giving up 17.5. This year they hope to do that — and more.

“We’ve really been working on our pressure defense,” says Pulley. “We’ll rotate Alana (Smith) and Tia (Williams) in to harass the point guards, and we’ll press through the game.”

Arthur says that if there’s one area his team has improved in, it’s defense. Though he plans to run the Cats man-to-man “90 percent of the time,” he’ll throw in some zone and some half-court zone trap, too.

“Defensively we could cause more havoc,” he says. “Last year we stayed with one thing, but this year we’ll mix it up, catch the other team off guard.”

The Cats gave up a few more turnovers than the opposition last year, 19.9 to 15.6. This year, Arthur says, the Cats hope to reduce their turnover figure by at least 25 percent.

Cat Killers — If the Cats have a problem after preseason scrimmages, Arthur says, it’s rebounding.

“You want to be crashing the boards on offense and blocking out on defense, but we’re trying to win jumping contests. We’re not going to win a jumping contest with anyone,” he says. “Fundamentally, we have to be sound.”

For the Lady Cats, providing they can overcome their shooting woes, a productive inside game remains an obstacle.

“We didn’t have the size last year,” says Pulley. “(This year) we’ve been working on getting it in to the post and making the girls understand that that opens up the outside.

Need a mantra? For the Cats, it’s “rebound,” for the Lady Cats, it’s “shoot to kill.”

1998-99 Po-Hi varsity basketball schedule

Home Games in Capitals

Game time — 6:15 (boys), 7:45 (girls)

December

1 — Jenks

4 — STILLWATER

8 — BROKEN ARROW

11 — Sapulpa

18 — Sand Springs

January

7-9 — Ada Tournament (B/G)

12 — OWASSO

15 — Union

21-23 — Valley Center Tournament (B)

21-23 — Jenks Tournament (G)

26 — JENKS

29 — Bartlesville

February

2 — Owasso

5 — SAND SPRINGS

8 — UNION

12 — SAPULPA

16 — Broken Arrow

19 — STILLWATER

Mavs Hold Off Neosho for Title

CHANUTE, Kansas — The Mavericks of NOC overcame a long range ballistics demonstration, Saturday, prevailing by a point, 75-74, over host team Neosho County to claim the tournament title in the Neosho County Classic.

The Panthers buried a whopping 14 shots from 3-point land to stay in a game that the Mavericks tried — and tried again — to make into a decisive win. Panther Treg Duerkson was 5-of-10 from long range, while Jennero Pargo was 5-of-8.

“We’d get up by five, and they’d hit a three,” said NOC Mick Weiberg. “Then we’d get up by six, and they’d hit a couple of threes. I kept thinking that would have to stop, but I was wrong.”

Indeed, with a 41-34 deficit to open the second half, the Panthers rattled off three straight from the arc to take a 1-point advantage. The lead then switched hands several times until the 3:30 mark of the fourth quarter, when Ron Banks pulled off a 3-point play to put the Mavs up by one.

The Mavs would never relinquish the lead after that.

Down by one, the Panthers chose to not to foul the Mavs in the final 37 seconds, and got the ball back with just five seconds left. That led to a stuttering trip down court and a wild shot that sealed the win for the Mavs.

Though the Panthers shot nearly 52 percent from the arc, their 2-point accuracy was horrendous, at just 29 percent. The Mavs, meanwhile, hit 57 percent from close in and were 4-of-13 from long range.

“It was a game of two contrasting teams,” said Weiberg. “They beat us in three categories, but we got physical, played some good inside defense, and hung in there.”

The Mavs also beat the Panthers in the turnovers column by a 15-12 margin and had a 12-8 advantage on steals.

Larry Reid finished with 23 points and was declared the Tournament MVP, while Banks had 13 points and was elected to the All-tournament team. Josh Regnier had 15, Ryan Williams had 12, Nathan Gregory and Tyler Barnard each had 3, while Sherman Rochell, Latarvis Norman and Shere-Khan Jones all had 2. Jones also had four blocks, and Weiberg recognized the solid defense of Regnier and the improving play of Rochell (making his way back after an ankle injury), as having an impact on the game.

“I was proud of the kids, they all played well.”

The Mavs get a rare, 3-day break before hosting the Oklahoma Christian junior varsity, Thursday. Tip off is at 7.