By DAVID MILLER
sports@poncacitynews.com
The final regular season games of the year for Ponca City’s varsity basketball teams were played at Robson Field House Monday with the Lady Cats winning their 18th game of the season, but the Wildcats weren’t able to add to their win total in their game.
In the girls game, the Lady Cats defeated Guthrie  50-31, while the boys dropped a 70-53 decision to the Bluejays.
The Lady Cats led the entire game, and had the score doubled at 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. Guthrie chose to slow the tempo of the game to a crawl in the second period and was able to pull within five points, 20-15 at the half. Ponca City was able to push out into a bigger lead in the third quarter and controlled the game from that point leading 34-22 at the end of the third quarter and further expanding its lead in the final period.
It was the final home game for the Lady Cat seniors Baylee Fincher, KaSandra Lyons, Karis Branstetter, Rylee Beard and Kabria Christian.  Beard was nursing a sore ankle and started, but was taken out after she attempted the first shot of the game.  Baylee Fincher led the scoring with 13 points, Branstetter had 11 and Carlie Badley had 10.
Guthrie controlled the early part of the boys game but never got a comfortable lead.  The Bluejays led 14-6 after one quarter, 29-20 at the half and 37-26 after three quarters.
The Wildcats pulled close, as they have done often this season, late in the game, trailing by only three with 2:30 left in the game.  But then things turned ugly and foul after foul was called on the Wildcats and Guthrie pulled away.  Guthrie shot 32 free throws in the fourth quarter, many of those coming after the Wildcats had pulled within three points.
In comparison, Ponca City went to the free throw line 14 times.
Collin Crandall led the Wildcats in scoring with 14 points, nine from the charity stripe. Justin Thompson with 12 and Anthony Gazaway with 11 also scored in double figures. It was the final home game for senior Luke Seals.
The Lady Cats open the postseason with a game in the Norman 6A Regional 6:30 p.m.  Thursday  playing Jenks.  The Wildcats also play Jenks, but their game will be at 8 p.m. Friday in Jenks.