BLAST FROM THE PAST
By Mike Tupa
Jan. 9, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Following are summaries from area sporting events from the past.
JANUARY 1998
Jacob Lawson found his shooting eye and drilled 21 points to help hoist the Bartlesville Bruins past Ponca City, 67-59, in Ponca City.
The senior marksman joined two other teammates with double-digit points — Chris Turner, 18, and N'Mir Johnson 14.
Lawson's four-point beauty with 2:23 left in the third quarter was the hinge on which the final decision swung. On the play, Lawson swung free off a pick and launched the trey — while he was being flattened by a charging defender. The ball ripped through the cords like a falling star while a referee whistled a foul.
Lawson knocked down the "and one" free throw to stretch Bartlesville's lead to 47-38. Ponca City never fully recovered.
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FALL 1969
Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn visited Bartlesville to honor the Doenges Ford Indians baseball team after it finished fourth in the nation in the American Legion World Series.
He applauded the Indians — a few days after they arrived back in Bartlesville — during a reception at the Adams Auditorium.
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NOVEMBER 1942
Caney and Copan gridiron warhorses were slated to battle each other in their annual Armistice Day showdown.
Copan starters included: Bibles, end; Linstra tackle; Henderson, guard; Loper, center; Fulk, guard; Parkerson, tackle; Reed, end; Lucas, halfback; Edwards, halfback; Baker, fullback; and Barlow, quarterback.
Caney regulars were Bridenstine, end; Geasland, tackle; Neil, guard; McClure, center; Steele, guard; Brewer, tackle; Miller, end; Powers, quarterback; Surrett, halfback; Fletcher, halfback; and Renton, fullback.
Caney brought an undefeated record (7-0) into the fray, having outscored opponents, 212-19.
Copan was 5-1-1.
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OCTOBER 1965
Central Junior High’s football team had a 4-0 record in October and was led by running backs Alonzo Adair, Dick Hargis and Gary Adams. Bill Berryhill provided the arm strength at quarterback.
Otis Schellstede coached the squad.
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OCTOBER 1965
College High cheered loudly with a 20-19 football win against Muskogee in the second week of October.
Jim Ettinger completed a touchdown pass to Dan Patterson with just nine seconds left in the game.
Spencer Kissell rushed for 84 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown run, despite having a target on his back by the Muskogee defense all game.
Marty Lowe had a 90-yard kick-off return for touchdown for the Wildcats.
Muskogee got a break with about two minutes left in the game with a 19-14 lead and ball on the Wildcat 42-yard line following a fumbled punt.
Muskogee got the ball down to the 29-yard line, but was set back on the next play on a clipping penalty.
The Roughers ended up turning the ball back to College High with 37 ticks on the scoreboard.
On the first play, Ettinger hit Kissell on a pass play that went 50 yards. Three downs later, Ettinger connected from 15 yards out with Patterson for the winning score.