bluesooner17
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NORMAN — Freshman point guard Kelbie Washington nearly threw up Friday from her nerves.
Her first Crosstown Clash was a big one, and she knew it.
But she didn’t play like it. Instead, she looked like a savvy veteran in a huge fourth-quarter spurt that propelled No. 8-ranked Norman to a 57-47 victory over No. 10 Norman North at Norman North High School.
“I didn’t know what else to do,” Washington said of her nerves. “When that whistle blows you have to tell yourself to stay calm, and you’ll forget about it.”
Washington scored only seven points, but three of her four assists came in the fourth quarter, including a nifty behind-the-back bounce pass that led to a layup by Kayla Albright during an 11-4 run to take control.
“Kelbie gives our entire team confidence and whenever we can play off of her she brings energy and makes everyone’s job easier,” Norman coach Michael Neal said. “Kelbie being on the court makes it a lot easier for everybody.”
Of late, Washington hasn’t necessarily been on the court. She’s been in foul trouble, an issue that’s led to some struggles for the Tigers.
But Neal made a bold move late in the third Friday.
Washington picked up her third foul, but Neal didn’t budge. She stayed in the game and never faltered.
“If she comes out I can tell their body language will sink and the defensive intensity will struggle, so she has to be on the court,” Neal said. “That’s why it’s a gamble sometimes. She’s a freshman and she’s learning how to play with fouls. She’s only getting better.”
Her first Crosstown Clash was a big one, and she knew it.
But she didn’t play like it. Instead, she looked like a savvy veteran in a huge fourth-quarter spurt that propelled No. 8-ranked Norman to a 57-47 victory over No. 10 Norman North at Norman North High School.
“I didn’t know what else to do,” Washington said of her nerves. “When that whistle blows you have to tell yourself to stay calm, and you’ll forget about it.”
Washington scored only seven points, but three of her four assists came in the fourth quarter, including a nifty behind-the-back bounce pass that led to a layup by Kayla Albright during an 11-4 run to take control.
“Kelbie gives our entire team confidence and whenever we can play off of her she brings energy and makes everyone’s job easier,” Norman coach Michael Neal said. “Kelbie being on the court makes it a lot easier for everybody.”
Of late, Washington hasn’t necessarily been on the court. She’s been in foul trouble, an issue that’s led to some struggles for the Tigers.
But Neal made a bold move late in the third Friday.
Washington picked up her third foul, but Neal didn’t budge. She stayed in the game and never faltered.
“If she comes out I can tell their body language will sink and the defensive intensity will struggle, so she has to be on the court,” Neal said. “That’s why it’s a gamble sometimes. She’s a freshman and she’s learning how to play with fouls. She’s only getting better.”
