WARR ACRES — Putnam City West earned third place in 6A-1 with a 74-49 win over rival Putnam City Tuesday (Feb. 17).

“It’s always good to play games where It means something,” Putnam City West coach Garen Wright said

Like West’s rout of Original on Jan. 16, the Patriots sprinted out to a big lead and kept it for much of the game. West led 20-3 in the first quarter.

SCHOOL	PC DISTRICT RECORD
Putnam City West	2-0
Putnam City North	0-0
Putnam City	0-2

Fueled by junior Myron Cooper, the Pirates opened the third quarter with a 12-4 run to get the deficit to single digits.

By the end of the third quarter, West had stretched the lead again.

Cooper finished with 19 points. He sank two 3-pointers but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter as West expanded the lead.

Wright wasn’t surprised his team was challenged, despite the Pirates’ poor season

“We’ve been talking about it all season,” Wright said. “We knew they weren’t going to lay down. We knew what they were going to continue to fight.”

The Patriots had four players in double figures, Sophomore Jamauri Kimbrough had with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists.

“He lit it up,” Wright said. “He also defended at a high level.”

Senior Demetrice Carter also had 15 points, nailing five 3-pointers.

Junior Andre Farrar scored 14 points and five rebounds.

Farrar scored 14 points, 10 of which came in the first half.

Sophomore Miekyel Armstead added 13 points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Junior Elijah Turner scored eight points. Turner had two rebounds, three assists and seven steals. Senior Quavion Wheeler scored six points. Wheeler had four rebounds, five assists and six assists.

Wright praised Wheeler and Carter.

“They both kind of didn’t have it going, but found ways to get other people involved and do other things other than score to help us win.”

With one game remaining on the schedule, Wright is pleased with his team’s progress.

“We put it on the board on October 1st that we wanted to be the best team we could be by February 26th,” Wright said. “I think it’s clear that we’re a lot better than what we started. We still have some work that we needed to do moving forward and we’re going to do that. 
But, I think we’re in a good spot right now.”

PIRATES COULDN’T CLOSE THE DEFICIT

Putnam City coach Brian Booker was pleased with his team’s effort. At the same time, he cited turnovers as a factor.

“You gotta close the lead. You can’t let it get to (double digits) at the start of the fourth quarter, but that’s, tough to win a game like that.”

Cooper’s 19 points impressed Wright.

“He was on another level tonight. kind of went insane,”

Booker said he had challenged Cooper before the game.

“I said he’s got I said he’s got to do more. He’s coming on more. He’s a very best top player and he can guard one through five.”

Wright agreed.

Senior Joseph Fokum added 11 points. including five points in the fourth quarter.

Booker said he hopes to have some of his injured players back on the court sometime during the playoffs.

UP NEXT

West (15-7) hosts 4A Harding Fine Arts Friday (Feb. 20) at 7:30 p.m. for Senior Night.

The Fire Hawks fell to 4A Harding Charter Prep, 72-10, last Friday.

The Pirates (4-17) host Yukon (4-20) Thursday (Feb. 19) at 6:30 p.m.

The Millers lost to Norman, 78-44, last Friday.

	1	2	3	4	F
Putnam City West (15-7, 9-5)	22	16	17	19	74
Putnam City (4-17, 1-13)	5	19	16	9	49