Senate Concurrent Resolution 654

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PINE GROVE HIGH SCHOOL "LADY PANTHERS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH KATIE BATES FOR WINNING THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, in the 2017 1A State Title Game, the Pine Grove "Lady Panthers" Girls Basketball Team got off to a slow start and had to come from behind to win their first Title in 30 years. They had no such problems getting a second Golden Ball Trophy on March 8, 2018. The Lady Panthers (34-3) raced ahead to a big lead and never trailed in a 56-34 win over McAdams in the 1A Finals; and

WHEREAS, it certainly was exciting for the 750 Pine Grove fans who made the 3.5-hour drive to Jackson; and

WHEREAS, Sophomore Karlie Rogers dominated the paint with 20 rebounds to go with 10 points, and Loren Elliot, also a Sophomore, led all scorers with 19 points and added three steals. Junior Taylor Fletcher chipped in 11 points. These three were fantastic, but there is another reason Pine Grove dominated the Championship Game, as it has so many times over the past two seasons. There seems to be something in the water in unincorporated Tippah County. Either that, or they are cloning 5-foot-10, hard-nosed basketball players; and

WHEREAS, Pine Grove Coach Katie Bates played seven players in the Championship Game, and all seven of them were between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-11. They seem to be interchangeable and the Pine Grove roster affords the Lady Panthers the ability to switch defensive assignments on each possession, which caused confusion for opposing teams all season; and

WHEREAS, the 2018 Pine Grove High School "Lady Panthers" Girls Basketball Team Championship Roster: Bella Jumper, Brianna Baggett, Kelsey Vick, Kenzie Miller, Channing Hurt, Lexi Elliott, Karlie Rogers, Taylor Fletcher, Kaylee Haynes, Jessi Mauney, Loren Elliott, Haley Vick, Kaylee Derrick, Mattie Michael, and Jenna Pannell; and Coach Katie Bates; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these 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 Pine Grove High School "Lady Panthers" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Katie Bates for winning their second consecutive Class 1A State Championship, and we extend the best wishes of the Legislature for continued success in all of their future athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Katie Bates and Pine Grove High School Principal George Buchanan for the team, forwarded to the Tippah County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.