MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackwell, Massey, Parker, Dearing, Jackson (32nd), Simmons (12th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE OLIVE BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL "CONQUISTADORS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH ERIC ROMBAUGH FOR WINNING ITS FIRST-EVER CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, for the first time in DeSoto County High School Boys' Basketball history, a State Championship Gold Ball Trophy is coming back to the county. The Olive Branch "Conquistadors" Boys Basketball Team finished a 28-4 season in a convincing way with their 64-44 title-clinching win over Forest Hill on March 9, 2018, at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson; and
WHEREAS, Coach Eric Rombaugh said, "This is the first one and that makes it even more special. DeSoto County has some good basketball teams with some really good coaches, so for us to be able to represent DeSoto County, it's a blessing. We have been battle-tested this year and we were built for this. We have got the guards, we got the posts, we got the size and the shooters"; and
WHEREAS, D.J. Jeffries again led the way for the Conquistadors with 20 points. Joe Cooper added 11 points and Cameron Matthews scored 10 more; and
WHEREAS, Olive Branch took a five-point lead to the first-quarter break at 14-9 and extended it to a 28-20 lead at halftime. In the second quarter, the Conquistadors opened play with the first four points to extend the lead to 18-9 before Forest Hill could answer. The Patriots came back and got within 20-16 before the Conquistadors returned the lead to 24-16. The eight-point lead quickly ballooned to a 50-29 margin after three quarters, keyed by D.J. Jeffries' slam dunk after he hit a three-pointer to jolt the Conquistadors into a run that ended the quarter with a 22-9 margin over the Patriots; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 "Conquistadors" Boys Basketball Championship Roster: D.J. Jeffries, G; Kelvin Allen, G; Joee Cooper, G; Josh Stevenson, G; Cameron Matthews, F; Wes Taylor, G; C.J. Owens, G; Kyron Pleas, G; Caterius Jones, G; Octavian Walls, G; Kenzaki Jones, G; Jealen Whitney, G; Shamar Brown, G; Cesar Gutierrez, G; and Head Coach Eric Rombaugh; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this special team 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 Olive Branch High School "Conquistadors" Boys Basketball Team and Coach Eric Rombaugh for winning its first-ever Class 5A State Championship, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Rombaugh and Olive Branch Principal Jacob Stripling, forwarded to the DeSoto County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.