Celebration continues for Newcastle’s first State Champion basketball team.
In recognition of their historic season and the character displayed by the student-athletes, the Racers were invited to visit the State Capitol.
Now, the Newcastle Basketball Booster Club is working towards purchasing championship rings for every member of the team.
The State Champions went to the Capitol in Oklahoma City on Thursday, April 2. While there, they met with State Senator Kendal Sacchieri (R-43), who presented them with a Citation of Congratulations from the Oklahoma Senate.
The Citation reads: Whereas, it is fitting and proper that the Oklahoma Senate recognizes the Newcastle Racers for all of their outstanding accomplishments as a team this season including winning the Lawton Invitational, the Otho “Sweet Pea” Curtis Invitational and going on to become Area and State Champs; and Whereas, the Newcastle Racers, under Head Coach Jessie Brown’s leadership, made history in 2023 by becoming the first team in Newcastle High School history to reach the State Tournament with a record of 24-6; and Whereas, on March 14, 2026, trusting in all the work the team put in, the Newcastle Racers achieved their highest accomplishment to date, again making history by reaching the tournament with a record of 28-2, and beating Carl Albert Titans 44-43 in an overtime thriller to become the winners of the 2026 5A State Championship in the OG&E Coliseum.
Whereas, on behalf of the people of the state of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Senate hereby extends its sincere congratulations to the Newcastle Racers for their hard work and dedication.
Now, therefore, pursuant to the motion of Senator Kendal Sacchieri the Oklahoma Senate extends to the Newcastle Racers sincere congratulations and directs this citation be presented.
With the State recognition in the memory books, the Booster Club is working toward something more lasting for the Racers. They ask the area residents and businesses to help celebrate the State Championship team by donating to purchase them rings.
Those wishing to donate can do so through Venmo or GoFundMe. As well, a local account has been set up for the team at Legacy Bank. Checks can be made to Newcastle Basketball Booster Club.
The team is also working on various fundraisers. These will be announced as they are planned.
At the State Tournament this year, the Racers played East Central beating them 6658. They played Midwest City and won, 53-36. In the championship game, they played Carl Albert into overtime and won, 44-43. They also played Carl Albert in the Area finals and won that game, 56-53.
As noted, this is the first time in Newcastle history that the boys team has won a basketball game in the State Tournament. They made the trip to Oklahoma City in 2023, but lost in the first round.
Coach Jessie Brown has been at Newcastle for eight years. He has been coaching a total of 19 years, having previously won State at Putnam City West as an assistant in 2016.
Coach Brown stresses the 5Ps: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. This year, the team had a theme for the State Tournament of “sacrifice.” Booster Club members said there were so many new players and everyone took on new roles, working together toward a common goal.
