Class 5A-6A state tournament notebook: Free throws help Deer Creek hang on

Saturday's Class 5A championship was extra special for Tulsa Washington coach Annette Kennedy.

In addition to being Kennedy's third championship at the school, it was also her 300th win as Hornets coach.

“It's special to be able to accomplish that at one place,” Kennedy said. “I'm at a great place. Whatever you need — they get it for you. There's so much support at Booker T. Washington.”

Kennedy coached in the panhandle at Tyrone for four years before moving on to coach softball at Northern Oklahoma College. She's not been at Tulsa Washington for more than 15 years.

“I didn't like the cold,” Kennedy said of coaching softball. “I had to get back inside.”

TPS CONTINUES RUN OF 5A TITLE-GAME APPEARANCES

The Tulsa Public School district's streak of Class 5A boys' state championship game appearances reached nine this season.

Tulsa Memorial beat Bishop McGuinness 59-42 Saturday to win the title.

The last time a TPS institution wasn't represented in the 5A boys' title game was 2004, when Southeast beat Ardmore.

ACADEMIC STATE CHAMPIONS NAMED

Edmond Memorial's girls were the only one of four academic state champions honored Saturday at the Mabee Center that also made the state tournament.

The Bulldogs earned academic champion honors in Class 6A. Stillwater's boys (6A), Tulsa Kelley's girls (5A) and Tahlequah's boys (5A) were also named academic champions during halftime of the 6A girls championship game.