Pocola powers past Panama

In a set of matchups between quality LeFlore County teams, Pocola’s basketball teams won by wide margins at Panama on Tuesday.

Pocola (14-5), the fourth-ranked team in Class 2A, led 17-10 at the end of the first quarter and started the second quarter on a 10-2 run to make it 27-12.

Allyssa Parker made a layup with 23 seconds left in the half, and Kail Chitwood blocked a shot with five seconds left as Pocola entered the break with a 40-21 advantage.

Pocola led 49-27 at the end of the third quarter.

Parker led Pocola with 27 points while Chitwood and Bailey Lairamore both had 11 and Kylee Smith and Presleigh Riggs each had four. Karlie Anderson led Panama (12-10) with 15 points while Koda Robbins had eight.

Despite physical defense from Panama, Pocola’s boys bouldered toward a 75-42 win, handing the Razorbacks their fifth straight loss while earning an 11th straight win.

“We’re still figuring a few things out,” Pocola head coach Derek Barlow said.

Pocola (14-6), the No. 8 team in Class 2A, led 11-4 early and finished the first quarter ahead 21-10.

Dakota Terrell hit a straightaway long-range shot on the first play of the second quarter. Terrell scored 11 of his 18 points in the second quarter.

A Zac Jones reverse layup ignited a 13-0 run for a 38-12 lead.

Pocola had a 40-14 advantage at halftime.

A 7-2 spurt put the Pocola lead at 59-24. Garrett Scott posted 11 of his 16 points in the third quarter, which the Indians finished with a 62-27 advantage.

“It took us until the end of January for the guys to figure out that it’s easier to run in transition.” Barlow said.

Panama (9-12) scored 12 of the last 14 points of the game.

Austin Hardwick scored 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter. Brayden Hardwick added 13 points while Zac Jones had eight for Pocola.

Brex Caldwell led Panama with 25 points. Skye Hopson added nine.

Austin Hardwick scored 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter.

Pocola is at Stigler tonight before facing Oklahoma Christian Academy in Oklahoma City on Saturday. Panama plays at Wister on Friday.