House Concurrent Resolution 104

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2018 MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CHOCTAW CENTRAL LADY WARRIORS BASKETBALL TEAM ON WINNING THEIR SEVENTH CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND BEING BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS.

WHEREAS, the Choctaw Central Lady Warriors Basketball Team clenched their seventh state championship title when they defeated Independence with an 89-56 win during the finals of the Class 3A Girls State tournament sponsored by the Mississippi High School Activities Association; and

WHEREAS, state championship wins are familiar to the Lady Warriors who have now won in years 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2017 and 2018, earning them the "back-to-back champions" label as two of the seven wins occurred in years 2017 and 2018; and

WHEREAS, their play in the semifinals was very impressive with the Lady Warriors defeating Jefferson Davis County in a 70-35 win, propelling the team to the finals for the third year in a row; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Warriors finished their 2017-2018 season with an outstanding 35-1 record, and the highest number of points earned during a state championship; and
WHEREAS, passionately led by Coach Bill Smith, who stated "This was the right time to be playing our best basketball... We saw Independence come from being 12 points down in the semifinals to winning. We knew they had a good team. We focused on playing our game and took care of what we do."; and

WHEREAS, playing with full hearts, unimaginable fortitude and grit, the Lady Warriors shot 53 percent from the floor, hitting 35 out of 66 shots, they also connected on 11 three-point shots, and 8 out of 10 shots from the free throw line; and

WHEREAS, the game against Independence was hard fought, as the Lady Wildcats went up 6-0 in the first 40 seconds of play, but as they bounced back with a pair of goals to make the score 6-5, and at the break, Choctaw Central led 31-18, Choctaw Central continued to build up its lead overtaking their opponents in the end; and

WHEREAS, Kyarrah Grant led the Lady Warriors with 20 points while Darien Tubby scored 17, Lachrisha Williams scored 15, Kyannah Grant put in 13 and Kadre Denson scored 10 points; and

WHEREAS, Kyarrah and Kyannah Grant are twins on the team who have now earned the honor of being chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama all-star game; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Warriors have been superbly coached and mentored by Head Coach Bill Smith, who has broadened the team's knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution, and mentored by Assistant Coach Elyse Etheridge; and

WHEREAS, they have been faithfully supported by team managers Shemah and Laliana Crosby, videographer Trent Hundley and statistician Renate Ben; and

WHEREAS, the fans of the Lady Warriors passionately support the team by following them to away games and cheering them on; and

WHEREAS, the 2018 Choctaw Central Lady Warriors Championship Basketball roster is comprised of Jaida Bell, Tia'Rain Saunders, Jennavia "JB" Bollin, Kaedre Denson, Wynter Dixon, Lacaniya Anderson, Maleighia Joe, Darien Tubby, Meloney Thames, Lachrisha Williams, Taelor York, Melanian Jimmie, Jordan Bell, Kyarrah Grant and Kyannah Grant; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the superb athletic accomplishments of Mississippi student-athletes, especially those such as the Choctaw Central Lady Warriors Basketball Team, whose athletic excellence on the court bring great honor to their school, community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Choctaw Central Lady Warriors Basketball Team on winning their seventh MHSAA Class 3A State Championship and being "back-to-back" champions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Bill Smith and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.