Teacher Spotlight: Stillwater Basketball Coach Battles Cancer

This holiday week we want to celebrate a teacher who goes above and beyond for Oklahoma students in our Teacher Spotlight series.

It's been a decade since Coach Kendra Kilpatrick began coaching basketball and teaching math in the classroom, leaving no student behind.

"She has touched so many lives in so many ways," said Mackenzie Martin, a Stillwater Girls Basketball team senior.

"She is someone I look up to," said Christen Harland, a Stillwater Girls Basketball team senior.

Coach Kilpatrick is the coach everyone needs to play women's basketball as she is dedicated, caring, and builds confidence.

"She has set such a fighting image in our mind what it means to work hard," said Jenna Brunker, a Stillwater Girls Basketball team senior.

But last year and leading into this new season, Coach K has been in a fight of her own against breast cancer.

She had to turn some of her focus on her health.

Now this morning, instead of her coaching the team, they have a message for her.

"She has nothing to worry about here so that she can take care of her battle," said Nataly Murray, the assistant coach of the Stillwater Girls Basketball team.

The Stillwater community is supporting Coach Kilpatrick through her battle.

They have created shirts, raised funds, and continued to pray for her recovery.

"I am very proud of her, and I am thankful for everything she has done for me," said Alexus Anthony, a student manager on the Stillwater Girls Basketball team.

On the court, they continue to play for her.

"Let's go. " Let's get better today," said Jayden Mason, a Stillwater Girls Basketball team senior.

This lady's basketball team has their first tournament in just a few short weeks, and they will use their motto this season, Play for K, to always keep her spirit in their mind.