Senate Concurrent Resolution 521

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL "GOLDEN WAVE" BASEBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH JUSTIN REED FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST MHSAA CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 24 YEARS.

WHEREAS, a 24-year-championship drought was ended with defensive superiority and a dominating pitching performance from junior Josh Smith. The Tupelo High School "Golden Wave" won their third State Title in program history beating Gulfport 3-0 in game three of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State Championship series on May 21, 2017. The victory gave Tupelo (26-11) its first State Championship since Kirk Presley hurled the Wave to back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993; and

WHEREAS, "I believe you gotta believe in it." Second-Year Coach Justin Reed said. "Set your goals at the beginning of the year and each one of them, this was our goal." They all believed. From the moment the Golden Wave Baseball Team stepped inside Trustmark Park's foul lines they knew they weren't leaving without the Golden Glove; and

WHEREAS, the seven fielders behind junior southpaw Josh Smith and one in front were locked in from the first pitch until the last. Smith threw seven complete innings, giving up just four hits and walking one batter while striking out five. There were just two innings of the seven that Tupelo saw more than four batters. The game was filled with clutch plays, none more clutch than Smith's performance in the top of the fourth and. Smith struck out two batters, and said he knew after that it was the Golden Wave's game. Offensively, Smith got all the run support he would need from the bats of South Sanders and Charlie Greer; and

WHEREAS, the 2017 Tupelo High School "Golden Wave" Baseball Team Roster is: Jackson Bridges, Ben Cayson, Charlie Greer, Jack Haynes, Tanner Jaggers, Stephen Matthews, Reed Mikels, Cooper Moore, Nick Ratliff, Ray Sandroni, LaBryant Siddell, Dylan Carey, Clay Cox, Gatlin Farrar, Jack Ikerd, Lake Kellet, Jordan Manley, Matthew Ray, Andrew Riley, South Sanders, Josh Smith, Jack Brister, Will Davis, Bryant Morgan, Rivers Murff and Jalen Sparkman; and Head Coach Justin Reed; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Tupelo High School "Golden Wave" Baseball Team and Head Coach Justin Reed for winning their first MHSAA Class 6A State Championship in 24 years, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Justin Reed and Tupelo Principal Jason Harris, forwarded to the Tupelo School Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.