Senior night special for Poteau

By CRAIG HALL
POTEAU—Senior Night was a special one for Poteau here Tuesday night.

Both the Pirates and Lady Pirates downed Panama in the last time the seniors will play on their home court.

Poteau’s boys cruised to an easy 75-43 win while the girls downed the Lady Backs, 39-31.

Photos by CRAIG HALL Poteau's Britt Brown loses control of the ball after it was tipped by a Panama player.
	Panama's Stephanie Lemmons tries to clear a rebound as Poteau's Briley Benson (24) and Meagan Ryburn apply pressure.

The games were the final regular-season games for both teams. Poteau plays at Muldrow in its district tournament later this week while Panama hosts Pocola Saturday.

Poteau’s boys swept Panama in three games this season while the Lady Pirates avenged an earlier loss on the road.

The Pirates built an early five-point lead at the end of the first quarter and dominated the final three quarters to take the easy win.

Poteau scored at least 20 points in each of the final three quarters and a 20-9 run in the second quarter put the Pirates comfortably ahead at halftime, 33-17. Josh Ross hit three three-point shots in the quarter to help break the game open.

Any hope Panama had of making a comeback was quickly put away at the start of the third quarter as Derek Bond and Wilson Klutts hit back-to-back threes to give Poteau a 22-point lead.

Poteau, now 16-6, only lost one home game this season, last week to Spiro. Ross led Poteau with 16 points, Britt Brown had 11 and Blake Roley added 10.

Jamikel Brooks was the only Panama player in double figures with 15.

In the earlier game, Poteau trailed after the first quarter by four points but controlled the second quarter 12-2 to take an 18-12 lead at halftime.

Panama cut the lead to two points late in the third quarter before Addie Guthrie made a three to up the lead back to five.

The Lady Backs’ Datonna Cross scored the first basket of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 25-22. Poteau responded by going on a 7-0 run with Courtney Allison hitting a layup and a free throw, followed by a basket by Jodi Meier and another score by Allison to put the Lady Pirates ahead 32-22.

Panama closed the gap to six points with 1:45 left on a three by Kayli Francis. Allison answered with a pair of free throws and Poteau held off the push.

Allison was the top scorer with 15 points while Ryburn added eight for Poteau. Francis paced Panama with eight points.