Ladycats Basketball Punches Ticket to State

In an exciting, overtime win Saturday over Tulsa Washington at Owasso, Ponca City Ladycats punched their ticket to the State Playoffs. They will face Deer Creek Lady Antlers Thursday night at 7:00 in Tulsa at the Mabee Center. It will be the first round of State Playoffs. The Ladycats were Consolation Champions in 6A Area Playoffs.

The Ladycats were in the State Playoffs four years ago as well. Strangely enough, they won the right to advance to State by winning at Owasso as well that time. Karis Branstetter, Baylee Fincher, Ryley Beard, KaSandra Lyons and Kabria Christian, the five Seniors on the current squad were present then as well.

Coach Jody Fincher is amazed by his talented group of players, “This team just continues to amaze me. They have a never say die mentality and are really playing well together. In every playoff win they have come from behind and have shown tremendous character and teamwork.

It is nice to accomplish another one of our goals but we have one more that we are shooting for and I don’t put anything past this team.”

He knows his team will have to battle, “Deer Creek has a really talented team and we will have to play well. This team is focused and ready for the challenge.”

Photos by Tina Christian