MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Harden

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LANIER HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR ITS OUTSTANDING 1996-1997 SEASON. 

WHEREAS, the Lanier High School Bulldogs Boys Basketball Team finished the 1996-1997 season with an outstanding record of 36 wins and four losses; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs are the 1996-1997 State 5-A Champions by virtue of winning the championship tournament; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs competed in and won the Vicksburg Coca-Cola Tournament and the Jackson-Pepsi Holiday Tournament, as well as competing in and placing second in the City Tournament and the West Plains, MO Zizzer Classic Tournament; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs' five starters received full basketball scholarships to various colleges and universities and received the following individual honors:

Tang Hamilton: All-State, All-Metro, All-District,

All-City, Dandy Dozen Player, Metro Player of

the Year, and Channel 16's Player of the Year;

Corey Mangum: All-State, All-Metro, All-District,

All-City, Dandy Dozen Player, and MS/AL

All-Star Game;

Michael Neal: All-State and North/South All-Star Game; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Thomas Billups and by Assistant Coaches Darryl Thompson and Larry Calhoun, who have broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, Coach Thomas Billups became the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Lanier High School in 1991 where he has accumulated an impressive overall record of 180 wins and 29 losses; and

WHEREAS, Coach Billups has led the Lanier High School Boys Basketball Team to compete in four Class 5-A Championships with this years' victory giving Lanier High School its first-ever back-to-back championships in school history; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs have developed a winning and cooperative spirit and an excellent degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitude reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches and bring honor to Lanier High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the youth of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Lanier High School Bulldogs Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Thomas Billups for their outstanding 1996-1997 season and for displaying tireless devotion to their athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Lanier High School, Coach Thomas Billups, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.