Senate Concurrent Resolution 636

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE EAST RANKIN ACADEMY "LADY PATRIOTS" VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH ROD DELANEY FOR WINNING THE MAIS AAAA DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, in the face of adversity, the East Rankin Academy "Lady Patriots" Varsity Basketball Team completed the 2017-2018 season with an outstanding 29-6 record (8-0 in South District), were the MAIS AAAA Division II South District Tournament Champions, and MAIS AAAA Division II State Champions; and

WHEREAS, December 23, 2017, was the date that changed the season. The team had gathered for a basketball Christmas party in Brandon. Around midnight, Brooke and Leah Cunningham (sisters) were involved in an automobile accident, and Leah passed away. Brooke was a junior and Leah was a sophomore, and both were members of the East Rankin Academy Girls Varsity Basketball Team. The team showed tremendous character after the heartbreak of December 23rd. They stuck together as a team and held each other up as they laid to rest a precious teammate. The team honored Leah by a memorial patch worn on their jersey with her #14 and also wore shooting shirts in her favorite color; and

WHEREAS, "I have never seen a group of girls that never gave up and continued to honor their teammate by the way they played the game. They are true champions," stated Coach Rod Delaney. "Champions are made and molded during trying times of adversity. These young ladies truly deserve the Title of Champions"; and

WHEREAS, the 2018 East Rankin Academy "Lady Patriots" Varsity Basketball Team Roster is: Bailey Thompson, Riley Scoles, Mollie Macon, Brooke Turnage, Taylor Turman, Rachel Dearman, Lauren Parker, Paige Loper, Neely Brunt, Kariana Simmons, Brooke Cunningham, Emilee Tadlock, Macy Leach, Harley Bowman, Anna Claire Shamburger, Kealey Bradford, Maile Tubbs, Anna Grace Boykin, Hanna Caldwell and Adyson Tadlock; Head Coach Rod Delaney; Assistant Coaches: Grant Thompson, Trudy Case Dawkins and Seth Cheatham; Managers, Lexey Stuart and Parker Russell; Statisticians: Margie Warren, Kaeleigh Thompson and Rachel Thompson; and Vidoegrapher, Maddie Morgan; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this special 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 East Rankin Academy "Lady Patriots" Varsity Basketball Team and Coach Rod Delaney for winning the MAIS AAAA Division II State Championship, and extend our best wishes to the team for future success and our prayers for their lost teammate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Rod Delany, Headmaster Dan Boyce and Athletic Administrator Dan Davis for the team, forwarded to the East Rankin Academy Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.