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‘SHE’S A LEGEND’
Washington led Norman to another state championship on her way to OU
NORMAN — Kelbie Washington stood behind the 3-point line in the empty Norman gymnasium.
The echo of the ball bouncing off the hardwood floor is a sound she and the Norman coaching staff have grown accustomed to in the hours after classes.
The sound of the ball slicing through the nylon net has become even more common. Washington has spent years in the gym, working on her craft in the after- hours, trying to accomplish one goal.
To be one of the best players in Norman history.
Four years later, her high school career has come to an end, and Norman coach Michael Neal believes her resume has proven her impact. With a record of 82-18 and two Class 6A state championships under her belt, capped by a 2021 undefeated season and just a couple months out from joining the Sooners up the road.
He’s convinced.
“She’s a legend,” Neal said.
Washington has had a successful career. Now, she will add another honor to her list: The Oklahoman’s Super 5 Player of the Year.
“There’s only been like a handful of people, who’ve had the opportunity to do what Kelbie Washington has done,” Neal said. “Not only with just winning but with the production and then the leadership behind all of these teams that have won and had this success, she’s the foundation of it all.”
It’s no secret that Washington, a top-100 recruit nationally, has been surrounded by talent in her final years at Norman. Three of her teammates are either signed or committed to Division- I programs. But she has been the driving force of the team. She has proven that on and off� the court.
This season, Washington averaged 14 points, 4.7 assists and 4.3 steals, while also leading the Tigers through a controversial postseason run where the team was called a racial slur during a live stream of their first state tournament game for kneeling during the national anthem.
“Our goal was to win state, and we didn’t care who got in our way,” Washington said. “Especially the man for what he said. We just decided to stick together.”
Whenever Norman fell behind, Washington was always the reliable spark to bring the Tigers back. In the state championship, Washington scored the Tigers’ first seven points after halftime, the first two coming off consecutive steals to swing the momentum of the game in Norman’s favor.
Her resilience is what Neal has seen out of Washington throughout the years.
“She’s hands down the best intangible player that’s playing in Oklahoma on the girls’ side,” Neal said. “It’s not just about scoring 20 or 30 points, because we got about five girls that can do that.
“It’s about making sure everybody’s doing what they need to do and shouldering the burden of everybody and making sure that we’re ready to go in those tough adverse moments. That’s what she’s about.”
The Norman gymnasium is decorated with a wall of fame, displaying Norman’s best. Since her freshman year, Washington has vied to get her name there. For many athletes, the Norman wall of fame is a dream too big. But not for Washington. She’s made her case. When she threw the ball in the air at the final buzzer of the state tournament, her Norman career was cemented. Her legacy was cemented.
She’s one of the best. The wall could soon reflect that.
“I think it’s already written up there,” Neal said. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”
Washington led Norman to another state championship on her way to OU
NORMAN — Kelbie Washington stood behind the 3-point line in the empty Norman gymnasium.
The echo of the ball bouncing off the hardwood floor is a sound she and the Norman coaching staff have grown accustomed to in the hours after classes.
The sound of the ball slicing through the nylon net has become even more common. Washington has spent years in the gym, working on her craft in the after- hours, trying to accomplish one goal.
To be one of the best players in Norman history.
Four years later, her high school career has come to an end, and Norman coach Michael Neal believes her resume has proven her impact. With a record of 82-18 and two Class 6A state championships under her belt, capped by a 2021 undefeated season and just a couple months out from joining the Sooners up the road.
He’s convinced.
“She’s a legend,” Neal said.
Washington has had a successful career. Now, she will add another honor to her list: The Oklahoman’s Super 5 Player of the Year.
“There’s only been like a handful of people, who’ve had the opportunity to do what Kelbie Washington has done,” Neal said. “Not only with just winning but with the production and then the leadership behind all of these teams that have won and had this success, she’s the foundation of it all.”
It’s no secret that Washington, a top-100 recruit nationally, has been surrounded by talent in her final years at Norman. Three of her teammates are either signed or committed to Division- I programs. But she has been the driving force of the team. She has proven that on and off� the court.
This season, Washington averaged 14 points, 4.7 assists and 4.3 steals, while also leading the Tigers through a controversial postseason run where the team was called a racial slur during a live stream of their first state tournament game for kneeling during the national anthem.
“Our goal was to win state, and we didn’t care who got in our way,” Washington said. “Especially the man for what he said. We just decided to stick together.”
Whenever Norman fell behind, Washington was always the reliable spark to bring the Tigers back. In the state championship, Washington scored the Tigers’ first seven points after halftime, the first two coming off consecutive steals to swing the momentum of the game in Norman’s favor.
Her resilience is what Neal has seen out of Washington throughout the years.
“She’s hands down the best intangible player that’s playing in Oklahoma on the girls’ side,” Neal said. “It’s not just about scoring 20 or 30 points, because we got about five girls that can do that.
“It’s about making sure everybody’s doing what they need to do and shouldering the burden of everybody and making sure that we’re ready to go in those tough adverse moments. That’s what she’s about.”
The Norman gymnasium is decorated with a wall of fame, displaying Norman’s best. Since her freshman year, Washington has vied to get her name there. For many athletes, the Norman wall of fame is a dream too big. But not for Washington. She’s made her case. When she threw the ball in the air at the final buzzer of the state tournament, her Norman career was cemented. Her legacy was cemented.
She’s one of the best. The wall could soon reflect that.
“I think it’s already written up there,” Neal said. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”