Before any games were played in the 2022-2023 basketball season, Ponca City girls Coach Jody Fincher said he thought his team could play with anyone.

Tuesday, in the season opener, the Lady Cats proved his point and played a highly regarded Putnam City West outfit pretty tough before losing a 52-44 decision in Robson Field House.

The Lady Cats trailed pretty much all the way, but the margin separating both teams was always relatively narrow. Putnam West led 8-7 after one quarter, 24-15 at the half and 38-32 after three quarters. Ponca City made a move to take over the game in the fourth quarter when Lainie George hit a three-pointer to give the Lady Cats a 42-41 lead. There was 5:16 remaining in the game at that point. But quickly West reclaimed the lead and held it to the very end. Ponca City managed only two points after it took the lead.

The Lady Cat defense was bothersome to Putnam West, especially in the early going. West’s inside game was almost eliminated in the first quarter with six of its eight points coming from behind the three-point arc. The second half saw West score nine of its 16 points from long range as the inside game was still having difficulty.

Ponca City had five treys in the contest, four coming from the shooting of senior Emma Gertken. Gertken was the Ponca City scoring leader with 16 points. She was the only Lady Cat to reach double digits in scoring.

Coach Fincher was somewhat pleased with his teams effort. But he noted that the Lady Cats turned the ball over 25 times, a condition that he said requires some work.

Caya Smith led West in scoring with 13 points. She was the only member of her team to reach double digits.

The Lady Cats will travel to Enid Friday in search of their first win of the young season.

PUTNAM CITY WEST 52, PONCA CITY 44

Putnam West 8 16 14 14-- 52 Ponca City 7 8 17 12-- 44

Putnam West -- Caya Smith, 13; Jayla Constant, 9; Jazmin Adams, 8; DaNae Jefferson, 7; Shamar Bert, 6; Jazzlin Brown, 3; Kahna Gray, 3; Brennen Burt, 3.

Ponca City -- Emma Gertken, 16; Kyra Allison, 8; Sarah Dingus, 8; Lainie George, 4; Allison Duncan, 4; Kaytum Lively, 3; Calissa Collins, 1.