There was only one way for it to end.

Breaking through last year.

A historic senior class that had accomplished so much.

Being No. 1 from start to finish.

But it wasn't going to be easy.

Just like they did earlier this year after suffering their only two losses of the season, Lincoln Christian responded in a big way and put the exclamation point on a special two year run Friday night, beating Douglass 57-44 for the program's second straight Class 4A state title.

The Bulldogs went back-to-back, capping off a 59-4 run over the last two seasons that ended with two gold balls, further cementing their status as one of the top programs in Oklahoma — regardless of class.

"Going back-to-back is incredibly special because it speaks to consistency, culture, and commitment," said head coach Melody Stewart.

"It's not just about talent, it's about a group of young women choosing every single day to buy in, to work, and to hold each other to a high standard. For our program, it validates what we believe in and how we do things."

Lincoln trailed 25-22 at halftime. It was the first deficit faced since late December.

But the Bulldogs didn't panic.

They stayed the course, focusing on where it started and where they knew it would finish — defense.

"This group took a lot of pride in defense, and that's where it started," said Stewart. "They were unselfish, disciplined, and connected."

"When it mattered most, they trusted each other and locked in on that end of the floor. That mindset is what separated them from everyone else."

The Bulldogs opened the 3rd quarter on a 10-2 run, as Lincoln immediately turned it up on both ends and came out with more energy to start the second half.

Senior Kayli Atkinson drilled a three to tie the game with 6:47 to go in the 3rd after an offensive rebound by sophomore Azariah Woodruff, who had a team-high 13 points in the win and was an all-tournament selection.

Two possessions later, junior Jayla Albert grabbed a miss and dished it out to senior Alexis Leyva, who hit a deep three from the OSSAA logo to give Lincoln a 28-25 lead with just two minutes into the half.

Several minutes later, two free throws by junior guard Ivey Wheeler after she was fouled off a backdoor pass from Niya Willoby helped stretch the Lincoln lead to 32-27 with 3:18 to go.

"That's what made this team so dangerous. We weren't dependent on one player," said Stewart. "We had depth, balance, and girls who were ready when their moment came. It says everything about their selflessness and how much they truly cared about the team over individual success."

Douglass responded with a quick 5-0 run to even the game with 2:03 to go in the 3rd, as the game mirrored last year's title game, which was tight throughout and separated by just three points.

But one final Lincoln run would be too much to overcome, as the Bulldogs continuously had an answer for every Douglass push.

Lincoln closed the quarter on an 8-0 run, as Woodruff had six of the eight to help ignite the Lincoln run.

Leyva, who had 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, drilled a corner three off a pass from Albert with 7:12 to go in the game, putting Lincoln up 44-32.

Douglass never got closer than seven the rest of the way, as Lincoln did what it had done so many times — found another gear that was impossible to match.

"It's not easy," Stewart said. "Every team gives you their best shot, and there's pressure that comes with that. But our girls handled it with maturity and focus."

After last year's run to finally break through and win the program's first gold ball, this year was different.

But nonetheless special, as Lincoln welcomed being "the hunted."

They didn't run from the pressure one bit.

"They didn't shy away from expectations, they embraced them. This was a new posture for our program to learn to play from and this group gave us a good picture of what it looks like to handle that pressure."

Lincoln won 31 straight games from December 2024-December 2025, including last year's title run and an 8-0 start to this season.

But back-to-back losses to Union and Bixby in the Tournament of Champions in late December proved to be pivotal for Lincoln, as the Bulldogs recentered on their identity and came together as a unit that refused to be stopped.

"After TOC, we had a moment where we really had to reset and refocus," said Stewart. "That's when the 'Monsters in March' mindset came in."

"It became about toughness, urgency, and playing our best when it mattered most. And when the calendar turned, you could feel the shift. Our intensity, our confidence — everything just elevated."

When the calendar turned to 2026, the Bulldogs won 21 games in a row — all by double digits — to take the title.

They did so behind Leyva (state tourney MVP), Atkinson and the program's leading scorer, Maddi Stewart, who will undoubtedly go down as the best player in program history.

Stewart had just five points in her final game as a Bulldog, far from her usual output.

But with Douglass focusing on her heavily, the senior still impacted the game in a multitude of ways. She had seven rebounds and four assists, earning all-tournament team honors.

But ultimately, all she and her senior teammates cared about was winning and finishing the job.

"That group meant everything," said Stewart. "They set the tone, they led through action, and they carried our culture forward. Coaching them has been one of the greatest blessings of my career, they're special not just as players, but as people."

Stewart took over a Lincoln program that was simply just existing 12 years ago.

What she has done with Lincoln basketball has been nothing short of incredible.

The impact Stewart has had on the school, athletes and community at Lincoln is well-known and easy to see.

But that lasting legacy isn't a one-way street, as the impact works in the other direction, as well.

"Lincoln means everything to me, and I truly believe God placed me here with a purpose," she said. "From the beginning, this has been about more than basketball. It's been about pouring into a generation of girls, building relationships, and using the game as a platform to teach life lessons and share my faith."

A 231-99 record. Six straight state tournaments.

Four straight state championship game appearances. Two straight state titles.

An immeasurable impact.

"What we've been able to build is special because it's rooted in something deeper than wins and championships," she said. "It's about culture, character, and helping these young women grow into who they're called to be. The titles are a blessing, but the impact and the journey we've shared, that's what means the most to me."

Friday night was the ultimate culmination of a special time at Lincoln Christian.

Not only for the celebration of back-to-back state titles for the head coach and her team.

But for the final game between a mother and daughter, for a player and coach that have had one special ride together.

"Maddi is by far the most talented player I've ever coached and to say that she challenged me as a coach is an understatement," said Stewart. "I had to grow my own knowledge of the game and yield to things that would allow her skill set to shine. Wildly enough, as I did that, it grew opportunities for everyone in this program to develop at a higher level."

Stewart's father, a legendary and Hall of Fame coach in Oklahoma, had an infamous saying that Stewart referenced often after last year's title run — "win the last one."

Not only did Stewart fulfill her father's famous phrase for the second straight year, but she won the ultimate last one, capturing the championship with her daughter during the final moments they will step on the floor together after a lifetime of basketball.

"That is hard to put into words," said Stewart. "My dad always said 'win the last one' and to be able to do that, not just once, but twice and to do it with my daughter — that's something I'll cherish forever."

As Maddi moves on to the next level with her teammates Leyva and Atkinson and the new era of Lincoln basketball takes on its next identity, the image of an iconic moment between mother and daughter won't soon — or ever — be forgotten.

"It's more than a game," she said. "It's a moment. It's a memory. It's a gift I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. It doesn't seem real that it's over and I'll never see her in a Lincoln jersey again but it's pretty cool that the last time I saw her in that jersey it was hoisting a gold ball. That will live in my mind forever with my dads words ringing so true."

"Win the last one."



Photos by Lee Talley