Boys high school basketball: Fast start carries Putnam City West

Freshmen Marcus Dickinson and Lindy Waters scored 15 and 6 points, respectively, but their influence goes much deeper, junior Payton Prince said.

“Those guys are really competitive and it rubs off on everybody,” Prince said. “I think especially with guys like myself and Kairo (Rutledge), it's helped us become better players.”

Prince led all scorers with 16, including eight in the first quarter. Tye Neubauer added 12.

Brett Valentine led the Antlers with 12.

Deer Creek plays Yukon at 3 p.m. Friday.

ERVIN'S DEFENSE HELPS LIFT EDMOND NORTH

Edmond North coach Steven Goss has been wanting senior guard Carlbe Ervin to play better defense off the ball.

Ervin flashed those skills Thursday, with a big defensive first quarter as the Huskies beat Yukon 52-36 at the McGuinness Classic.

“Carlbe can be a really, really plus defender when he wants to be,” Goss said. “His steals today were intercepting passes instead of him jumping the ball. He's allowing the scheme to come to him.”

Edmond North jumped to a 14-point lead after one quarter, helped by five steals from Ervin.

Tyler Sanders led the Huskies with 13 points while Ervin added nine.

BETHANY RALLIES FOR WIN

Luke McGrath scored 20 points to help Bethany overcome a late deficit for a 54-53 win over Harrah at the Bethany Tournament.

The Bronchos trailed by eight points after three quarters. Kyle Bottger had 13 points and Tanner Stiles 11 for Bethany, which will face Piedmont at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.

Piedmont routed Elgin 80-22 behind 26 points from Cameron Peters.

TIP-INS

Jerrick Warren scored 16 as three Guthrie players reached double-figures to lift the Bluejays to a 58-55 overtime win against Norman at the McGuinness Classic. ... Millwood downed Western Heights 52-49 at the Bethany Tournament behind 14 points from Michael Mays. ... Julio Hukill had 16 points to lead Tecumseh to a 66-49 win over Casady. ... Dale's Evan Anderson had 21 points in a 52-44 win over Holdenville.

By Scott Wright and Ryan Aber