OKLAHOMA CITY – Putnam City North coach Logan Martin preaches full-court defensive intensity. Martin wants more of it but the Lady Panthers got enough Friday (Dec. 20) for a 62-35 win over Choctaw.

With the win, North (10-1) took control of the District 6A-2 race with a 4-0 district record. Choctaw (4-3) dropped to 3-1 in district play.

After the Lady Panthers sprinted out to a 16-7 lead after the first quarter, Choctaw pulled within eight points by halftime (25-17).

“I still really wanna focus on our defense and I thought we got relaxed and kind of stopped pressuring full court,” Martin said. 
That was not our game plan.”

The defensive intensity returned after the break and the Panthers went on a 9-0 run to start the third quarter and never looked back.

“We talked about that a lot that our offense gets going by our defense,” Martin said. “It’s important that we are focused on that every night, bring the intensity and energy. That’ll help us during our lulls where we can’t score.”

Senior Brandie Harrod scored a game-high 17 points. The Auburn signee also grabbed 12 rebounds, had three steals and two blocks.

Rebounding is something Martin has been emphasizing with Harrod.

“Every night she should be she should be our leading rebounder and I thought she did a better job of it tonight and finishing around the rim,” Martin said.

Junior Kiana Gray added 13 points with four steals.

Senior Nykaiya Dillard added eight points, three rebounds and four steals. Senior Nini Geretta and sophomore Richiya Miller each had six points. Geretta had five rebounds and three assists in the win.

Even though she didn’t put up big stats, Raya Shawareb was a factor in North’s defense off the bench. The senior was constantly affecting Choctaw’s offense in her time on the floor with two steals and two boards.

“I love her as a sixth man,” Martin said. “She brings such a spark for us and she’s one of our best offensive rebounders and has a nose for the ball. She always ends up ends up around it. She’s a hustle player and just really a glue piece for us.”

The win solidified North’s hold on the district’s top spot going into the Christmas break.

“It’s always harder to get (a win) at their place and so we knew we needed to protect this one,” Martin said. “We’re really trying to secure that that first seed.”

UP NEXT

The Lady Panthers (10-1, 4-0) return to action next Thursday (Dec. 26) in the Bank 7 Holiday Classic in Mustang.

North takes on Allen (east of Ada) at 12 p.m. The Class A Lady Mustangs are 5-2.

Photographs courtesy of Richard T. Clifton

	1	2	3	4	F
Choctaw (4-3, 3-1)	7	10	9	9	35
Putnam City North (10-1, 4-0)	16	9	15	22	62