by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)3/17/2018 8:24:04 AM
posted in: Game Summary | 1,975 views
TULSA — The first one never comes easy. Putnam City North now knows that.
After being ranked atop Class 6A to start the season and then finishing the regular season ranked third, PC North captured its first championship in the program’s history on Saturday night at the Mabee Center with a 65-58 victory over No. 6 Edmond Santa Fe.
“We just had to stick with it and keep pushing,” said PC North’s Chris Braggs, who raised his eyebrows and then glanced down at the gold ball with his grasp.
Braggs scored 16 points to lead the Panthers (25-5), and Micah Thomas tossed in 18 points of his own for PC North, who avenged a loss to Edmond Santa Fe in the area tournament finals.
“We knew we had to come out and play great defense,” said PC North coach Ryan Wagner, whose club allowed Edmond Santa Fe to score 83 points in the area championship game. “If you watched us play the last three days, we were in the trenches together.”
PC North had to escape with a 43-41 win over Union in the quarterfinals, and then the Panthers stormed past Norman North, 73-64, in the semifinals.
The Panthers, after shooting 10 of 27 in the first half, knocked down 10 of their final 19 shots.
Adokiye Iyaye added 12 points for PC North, and Blake Owens finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.
For Edmond Santa Fe (22-7), Tauriawn Knight was the lone double-digit scorer for the Wolves with 19 points.
Box Score
No. 3 Putnam City North 65, No. 6 Edmond Santa Fe 58
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Putnam City North | 15 | 15 | 13 | 22 | 65 |
| Edmond Santa Fe | 13 | 7 | 19 | 19 | 58 |
Putnam City North (25-5): Micah Thomas 18, Chris Braggs 16, Adokiye Iyaye 12, Blake Owens 11, Shayon Janloo 6, J’veonPierce 2.
Edmond Santa Fe (22-7): Tauriawn Knight 19, Kamden Gipson 9, Ben Smith 9, Tyus Jeffries 9, Jaylen O’Connor 6, Donovan Vickers 6.