(PENSACOLA, FL.) --- Never underestimate the Booker T. Washington Girls Basketball Team.
After 26 years, the Lady Wildcats walked away with the 2026-FHSAA Girls Basketball Championship by two points, taking down Blanche Ely in Jacksonville with a final score of 56-54.
The significant win has locals cheering on the team long after the game, with Mayor D.C. Reeves presenting a resolution to the team at last night's council meeting.
(Photo: Mayor D.C. Reeves ready to embrace Coach Jade Brown in congratulations)
Reeves reminded Coach Jade Brown, as a former sports journalist, local teams sometimes travel "with that chip on your shoulder going around the rest of the state and proving you're the best, when we already know it."
So does AI, pointing out just how awesome the team is.
"Nylah Brooks hit the clinching free throw with 1.0 second remaining, following a crucial offensive rebound by Kevianna Williams," Google AI overview reports. "This marked the team's first state title since 2000 and fifth in school history, finishing a 19-game winning streak with a 24-3 record."
(Photo: Google AI overview of Lady Cats win)
Coach Brown confirmed local teams don't get the respect they deserve outside of the county.
"When you come from the Panhandle, a lot of times you gotta go up against some real giants in South and Central Florida," Brown said, adding her thanks to the mayor and city council. "Not everyone has this opportunity, but it definitely means a lot."
Speaking to OpGov.News after the meeting, Brown shared behind-the-scenes moments that led up to the winning shot.
Details matter, according to the coach, when asked what the Lady Cats had to overcome this season.
"We only had 3 losses, and in those 3 losses, they were by 5 or 6 points combined, I believe, so really understanding how critical the details are for us to be successful," she said. "I think our biggest obstacles were understanding the importance of being detail-oriented, and once you understand that, the details will get you the outcomes."
Next discipline.
(Photo: Lady Cats Coach Jade Brown thanking the community for support at last night's council meeting)
Brown said in early January, "After we came off our break, I knew there were certain things we needed to do," including getting the parents to understand that there was something special about the team that could take them to the top.
"We needed them to understand that," Brown said.
And they did, taking all of Brown's advice, including slashing social media, including herself.
"We suggested the kids make some sacrifices," Brown said, adding, "I think the most pivotal point in the season was the coaching staff meeting with our parents."
Calling the win surreal, surrounded by her family and dozens of other local fans who traveled to Jacksonville, Coach Brown said it's still sinking in that her team put Pensacola back on the map for girls basketball after 26 years.
The bold woman of faith said throughout the season, "I kept myself grounded and connected."
"We came up short two years ago, the last 2 years losing in the regional finals. I am just thanking God because without Him, none of this would be possible," Brown said.
The win continues long after the last shot, according to the coach.
(Photo: Lady Cats accepting resolution in honor of their state title)
"It really hit me when we got back home and just the support from our community and people reaching out and thanking us," Brown said, adding "God is so good and staying faithful to Him, with the prayers the community poured into us."
(Photo: Councilwoman Teniade' Broughton, Booker T. Washington alumnus, hugging Coach Brown)
When asked what personally drove Brown to lead the girls to a state title not seen in a quarter century, it had nothing to do with her.
"I just really like seeing, not just my girls, but others, succeed," Brown said humbly. "I knew that if I could help put them in certain positions and really get us to buy into what we're asking each player to do, that they're gonna be successful."
That is lifelong advice.
"I always tell the girls at the beginning of the year and the parents, my vision isn't necessarily to win a championship, it's to help them become wonderful individuals on and off the court," Brown said.
Mission accomplished.
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