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Putnam City

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Duncanville edges Putnam City for tourney title

It might just be the third game of the season for Putnam City, but they were facing a team for the second time already.

Duncanville, Texas, and Putnam City scrimmaged each other a few weeks ago on the Panthers' home court.

The Panthers were 39-0 last year and won the Texas Class 5A state championship. They feature a pair of players that are being widely recruited: Roger Franklin, a 6-foot-5 junior, and Shawn Williams, a 6-foot-7 senior. Williams is being sought by Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis and North Carolina.

The Panthers are also ranked second in the nation by USA Today.

Duncanville and Putnam City reached the finals of the Rumble on the Ridge tournament with wins on Thursday and Friday.

Saturday evening's final game had the appeal of another Oklahoma-Texas battle.

The Panthers led the game early and stretched their lead to 11 points at halftime, 33-22.

But the Pirates fought back. They managed to tie the game at 48-48 in the final period.

The game was knotted again at 50-50, 52-52 and 56-56 with four minutes remaining in the game.

With 31 seconds left, the scored was again tied, 62-62.

Free throws for the Panthers gave Duncanville a four-point win in the championship game, 66-62.

Brain Talley led the Panthers with 22 points. Williams, the tournament's Most Valuable Player, added 17.

Xavier Henry scored 23 points for the Pirates. Garen Wright scored 12.

Henry and Wright were named to the all tournament team.