Promising Outings from 6A Matchup Putnam North vs. Ponca City

<p>In a Saturday battle of two 6A teams, Putnam City North topped Ponca City 71-58 at home. Coming out of the West, PCN sits at the No. 4 spot with a 15-4 record after Saturday’s victory. Meanwhile, Ponca City sits dead last in the East with a record of 3-18. Putnam City North has just two games left before entering the 6A tourney which will be held in Norman.</p> <p>Let’s check out some of the notable performances from the Feb. 12 contest.</p> <p><b>Putnam City North:</b></p> <p><strong>Kaidon Rayfield, 6’7 Freshman</strong></p> <p>As a freshman, Rayfield displayed his potential in the victory over Ponca City. Rayfield’s promise as a freshman is immense. A large, slender 6’7 frame with quickness serves as a hindrance for defenses. Rayfield takes up the majority of the paint and can maneuver from left to right, acting as help in case of a blow-by layup. A two-way player, Rayfield hovers around the rim for putbacks and layups. The freshman scored 10 points on the night.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1068574" first="Zander" last="Baker"], 5’10 Junior</strong></p> <p>Baker seemingly controlled the flow of the game on Saturday. Hopping into passing lanes, stripping defenders and laying the ball in with ease in transition found him with 13 points in the contest. On the defensive end, Baker had four steals in the first half. Baker’s shiftiness alongside his agility creates difficulties for defenders, shifting the weight on their heels to get past for an easy basket. Baker’s confidence on the court is transferable to his personality, always smiling on the court and praising his fellow Panthers. Only garnering interest with no scholarship offers thus far as a junior, it should be assured that the crafty guard will play at the collegiate level after his time at Putnam North.</p> <p><strong>Anthony Leonard, 5’11 Freshman</strong></p> <p>Leonard was a terror defensively. Multiple steals by halftime similar to Baker, Leonard’s defensive prowess set up many fast break opportunities and he did not let them go unanswered. Leonard scored six in the first quarter and 15 total in the game, finishing nearly every time he rose up to the rim to assist in the victory over Ponca City. His ceiling will be determined by how he progresses, but it looks as if the freshman should be turning many college coaches head’s around come his senior year.</p> <p><strong>Gerald Horton, 6’6 Junior</strong></p> <p>Horton’s size does not decrease his explosiveness. In the first half of the contest, Horton punched the ball in with two hands with force. Despite earning a technical foul from the added pull-up on the rim, it showed emotion which is advantageous for a basketball team. Horton had no malicious intent behind the gesture, but was just having fun on the court. The junior can work on his decision making, but his size and natural ability to ascend above the rim for a layup or dunk should not be overlooked.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1376830" first="Jonathan" last="Tonkumoh"], 6’6 Senior</strong></p> <p>Tonkumoh showed glimpses of his potential in the first half against Ponca City. The 6’6 shot blocker had an emphatic block early in the first quarter and three through the middle of the second quarter. His length, stature and the intangible ability to soar through the air is a dream for colleges coaches at any level. The springiness translates to other facets of his game on well, near five minutes left in the second quarter the senior rose up for a dunk. As he came down he suffered an unclear injury and was taken out for the remainder of the game.</p> <p><strong>Ponca City:</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049319" first="Grant" last="Dye"], 6’7 Senior</strong></p> <p>Dye impressed in the loss, rising up for jumpers and converting and-ones, the senior is arguably best competitor for the Wildcats alongside Tayivon Moore. When Ponca City needed a desperate score, Dye was the resolution. The forward drained three trey balls in the first half and finished with 21 points. Offensively-minded, his height and ability to stretch the floor helps Ponca City’s offense substantially. </p> <p><strong>Tayivon Moore, 6’3 Sophomore</strong></p> <p>As a sophomore, Moore showcased his abilities beyond the three-point line in the fourth quarter and sank two three’s. Moore posted a quiet 21 points on the night as he was extremely efficient from the free throw stripe. Moore’s strong-suit is his flowing jumper, efficiency when shooting the ball and knack to draw fouls. Moore went 11-of-13 from the free throw line to help the Wildcats. </p>