Norman High School girls basketball team is celebrating after winning the Oklahoma 6A state championship.
The Tigers (19-0) wrapped the season up with a 48-37 win over Bixby.
The WNBA players’ association released a statement congratulating the Norman team.
“To our young sisters, the future stars of our sport and rising leaders of this country: We cannot let another day go by without you hearing from us. You demonstrated great courage and conviction in your decision to take a knee for justice. You clearly love this country and desire that it loves you back. We are with you. You have our support,” the statement read.
The state title was earned just days after the team made headlines when an announcer was captured using racist slurs against the team.
Before kickoff of the team’s quarterfinal game on Thursday, the broadcasters took exception to the team kneeling during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The broadcasters said they would return after a break — but their audio was still live, and announcer Matt Rowan could be heard on the mic saying:
“They’re kneeling? F*ck them. I hope Norman gets their ass kicked. … F*cking n*ggers.”
The clip went viral. Rowan quickly issued an apology, blaming the racist tirade on his diabetes.
Seriously.
“During the Norman High School girls basketball game against Midwest City, I made inappropriate and racist comments believing that the microphone was off; however, let me state immediately that is no excuse such comments should have never been uttered,” Rowan said in a statement. “I will state that I suffer Type 1 Diabetes, and during the game, my sugar was spiking,” Rowan said. “While not excusing my remarks, it is not unusual when my sugar spikes that I become disoriented and often say things that are not appropriate, as well as hurtful. I do not believe that I would have made such horrible statements absent my sugar spiking.”
