WARR ACRES--Extending their respective records to 3-1, the two Ponca City varsity basketball teams posted victories Tuesday over Putnam City.

The Lady Cats defeated Putnam City 45-32 while the Po-Hi boys team won 64-51. While the wins were significant enough on their own, they had a historic significance as being the first victories for Ponca City teams in the Big 10 Conference. Ponca City is part of a conference for the first time in a few years, joining Putnam City, Putnam City North, Putnam City West, Choctaw, Midwest City and Enid in the Big 10.

GIRLS GAME

In a tight defensive struggle, the Ponca City Lady Cats led throughout the game, with a 20-13 advantage after one half of play and led 29-19 at the end of the third quarter. They outscored Putnam City 16-13 in the final period to win 45-32.

Trinity Regnier kept Ponca CIty in front in the third quarter, scoring eight of her team’s nine points during the period. Putnam City cut the Lady Cats’ lead to five with three minutes left in the final quarter, with its pressure defense causing Lady Cat turnovers. Ponca City pushed its lead to seven with a couple of free throws by Ashlynn Fincher. When the Lady Cat lead was six with 50 seconds to play the Lady Cats closed out the game with a flurry of free throws. Fincher hit two, Regnier hit one, and Badley hit four to give Ponca City its final 13-point margin.

Badley had 13 points to lead Ponca City scoring. She was the only Lady Cat to finish in double figures.

“I’m really proud of our effort,” Ponca City Coach Jody Fincher said. “We battled all night and gour our first conference win. It was truly a team effort as several people contributed, led by our two seniors.”

Another conference game is on the schedule for Friday night at Robson Field House. Midwest City will be the opposition.

PONCA CITY 45,

PUTNAM CITY 32

Ponca City 10 10 9 16-- 45

Putnam City 3 10 6 13 -- 32

Ponca City -- Carlie Badley, 13; Trinity Regnier, 9; Ashlynn Fincher, 8; Emma Gertken, 7; Kyra Allison, 6; Sarah Dingus, 2.

BOYS GAME

The Ponca City Wildcats jumped out to an early lead and then staved off Putnam City the rest of the way, earning a 64-51 Big 10 Conference victory.

The Wildcats led 19-12 after one quarter, 42-27 at the half and 49-39 after three quarters.

Ponca City’s Grant Dye had an extremely hot hand in the second quarter, hitting four of five three-point attempts. He had 21 points at the half and finished the game with 23.

Putnam City put pressure on the Wildcats and drew with nine points early in the fourth quarter. But the Wildcats were able to keep the Pirates from Putnam City at bay to win by 13.

Dye led the Wildcat scoring with his 23. Steven Faulkner had 16 and Collin Crandall also finished in double figures with 12.

“Great conference win,” Wildcat Coach Ivan McFarlin said. “Everyone performed well today and we are continuing to get better each game! I am so proud of these young men and how they approach the game. Midwest City will be a good test for us and we will prepare for them.”\

The Wildcats are scheduled to host Midwest City Friday at Robson.

PONCA CITY 64, PUTNAM CITY 51

Ponca City 19 23 7 15 -- 64

Putnam City 12 15 12 12 -- 51

Ponca City -- Grant Dye, 23; Steven Faulkner, 16; Collin Crandall, 12; Anthony Gazaway, 8; Culley Porter, 3; Marshawn Webb, 2.