WARR ACRES – Putnam City North sprinted out to big lead en route to a 62-38 win over rival Putnam City in the “Battle of the Expressway” Thursday (Dec. 5).

“I thought we competed well. We obviously played through a little adversity,” Putnam City North Logan Martin said. “The biggest thing is just our defensive presence, really trying to hone in on that and make that our identity.”

The Lady Panthers (4-0) controlled the opening tip and got out to a 10-0 lead on the Lady Pirates (1-1).

The North defense kept Original off balance and sped up possessions, leading to missed shots and turnovers.

“We have a lot of depth this year, so we really try to press and make it a full court game as long as we can,” Martin said.

Putnam City didn’t get on the scoreboard until 3:47 left in the opening quarter when senior Destinee Hunt scored a bucket to make it 10-2.

North junior Kiana Gray, scored six of her 13 points in the opening quarter as the Lady Panthers got out to an 18-6 lead.

“She’s been incredible for us offensively and she’s so deceptive defensively, really quick, gets her hands on a lot of balls and she can obviously shoot it,” Martin said of Gray came to North from Putnam City West.

Senior Nini Geretta added 12 points with four 3-pointers.

SCHOOL	PC DISTRICT RECORD
Putnam City North	1-0
Putnam City West	0-0
Putnam City	0-1

Fellow senior Brandie Harrod also scored 12 points but Martin highlighted the defense of the Auburn signee.

“She’s an incredible athlete,” Martin said. “She has a length that we haven’t had since I’ve been here.

“She can score the ball, but on defense, she’s a huge presence for us. She can guard one through five and creates a lot of matchup problems.”

From the 10-0 first quarter lead, North held a double-digit lead for the game’s duration. The Lady Panthers drained eight treys in the win.

Putnam City coach Porsche’ Young said the North defense was a factor.

“It’s just something the girls haven’t seen a lot of so far, “Young said. “I think it just kind of caught them off guard, but it’s all right. It’s just something to learn from moving forward.”

PC senior Tionna Johnson, a newcomer from Mustang, led the Lady Pirates with 11 points and three treys.

“Probably the most aggressive as far as on the offensive end,” Young said of Johnson. “Hit a couple of threes and got to the rim a lot.”

Hunt finished with nine points.

“Destiny, on the defensive end, got some good stops against one of their top players,” Young said.

UP NEXT

The Lady Panthers (4-0) host Putnam City West Friday at 6 p.m. The Lady Patriots, lost several players to graduation and other schools as well as their coach from a season ago, West was routed by Ponca City, 62-11, Tuesday (Dec. 3).

“We talk about all the time that it’s our mindset has to be our standards no matter who we’re playing,” Martin said of North playing defending 6A champs. ” The rivalry games are always heated a little bit.”

The Lady Pirates (1-1) travel to West on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Photographs courtesy of Richard T. Clifton

	1	2	3	4	F
Putnam City North (4-0)	18	14	13	17	62
Putnam City (1-1)	6	8	8	16	38