Girls basketball roundup: Tulsa Washington holds off Putnam City North

The Panthers came back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit but in the end, Class 6A No. 5 Tulsa Washington held off No. 11 North 45-39 to take the tournament championship.

“It was very stressful,” Tulsa Washington's MaKenzie Ellis said. “It was a little rough for us but we got better at the end.”

Ellis, who had 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks in the title game, was named the tournament's most valuable player.

The Hornets led 34-24 just seconds into the fourth quarter when the Panthers put together a quick 13-3 run to tie it for the first time since the game was scoreless.

Sidney Carolina scored six points in the stretch, including a 3-pointer to tie it with just less than three minutes remaining.

But the Hornets turned it back on, fueled by a pair of buckets by Rachel Block, to put the game away and take the tournament title.

Tulsa Washington beat Norman and Carl Albert to reach the finals.

“I think this tournament can help us get over the hump for our season,” Ellis said. “We're starting to play much better.”

Mikayla Alexander had 12 points and 9 rebounds for the Hornets.

Carolina had 14 to lead the Panthers.

SANTA FE CRUISES TO TITLE