MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Frazier, Horhn, Blount, Jackson (11th), Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Thomas, Barnett
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY "LADY TIGERS" WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND "COACH OF THE YEAR" TOMEKIA REED FOR WINNING THE SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SWAC) REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP IN BACK-TO-BACK YEARS, FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST SWAC POSTSEASON CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 2008, AND FOR THEIR APPEARANCE IN THE NCAA "MARCH MADNESS" POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT.
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University (JSU) "Lady Tigers" Women's Basketball Team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship in back-to-back seasons on March 5, 2021, at the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center by defeating Alabama State University (ASU) 64-62; and
WHEREAS, the Jackson State Lady Tigers achieved selection for postseason, drawing the No. 15 overall seed in this year's NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament; and
WHEREAS, the Lady Tigers are going dancing after winning the SWAC Championship over Alabama State on March 13, 2021, by a final score of 67-66 at the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. In the first quarter of play, the Lady Tigers and Lady Hornets were locked into a close game midway through the quarter before JSU opened it up to a 22-14 lead at the end of one quarter. In the second quarter, ASU used a 9-4 swing to pull back to within a 29-23 deficit with 4:07 remaining in the half. Down the stretch of the second quarter, JSU knocked down seven free throws to take a 37-24 lead into the half. With seven minutes to go in the game, leading 54-50, a four-point turnaround gave JSU a little bit of breathing room as they regained an eight-point lead, 58-50. With two minutes left, ASU hit a three-point shot to take a 63-61 lead. Ameshya Williams hit a layup with a little over a minute in the contest to tie the game up at 63-63. It was Cherelle Jones that once again put the Lady Tigers up, 67-66, with 13.9 seconds left with two made free throw attempts. Great defense in the final seconds of play and an Ameshya Williams' rebound sealed the deal and gave JSU the ultimate 67-66 SWAC Championship win over Alabama State; and
WHEREAS, the Lady Tigers were led by Dayzsha Rogan with 25 points in the game and three assists, who was named the SWAC Tournament "Most Valuable Player." Cherelle Jones had 13 points and nine rebounds while Keshuna Luckett had nine points. Ameshya Williams finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks. As a team, JSU was 20-of-52 from the field and outrebounded ASU 46-36. With the win the Lady Tigers locked an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament in San Antonio, Texas. Jackson State improved to 18-5 overall on the season, 15-1 in SWAC play, and achieved their first SWAC Postseason Championship since 2008; and
WHEREAS, Coach Reed coached the Tigers to SWAC Regular Season Championships for back-to-back seasons. In Coach Reed's three seasons as JSU's Women's Basketball Coach, the Tigers (15-5, 14-1 SWAC) have gone 42-9 in SWAC play, including 30-3 in the last two years. Coach Tomekia Reed was named Jackson State Head Women's Basketball Coach in April 2018; and
WHEREAS, the 2021 Lady Tigers Championship Roster is: Ti'lan Boler, Antionette Womack, D'Asia Mitchell, Ameshya Williams, Keshuna Luckett, Jariyah Covington, Elexis Peyton, J'Niya Tallie, La'Genesis Johnson, Che'Mya Carouthers, Dayzsha Rogan, Diamond Forrest, Jasmine Edwards and Cherelle Jones; Head Coach Tomekia Reed, Assistant Coaches Richard Bradley and Juanita Ward, Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator LaShonda Cousin, Head Manager Joshua Goss, Student Manager Artavia Moreis, Director of Olympic Sports Shannon Jackson and First Responder Mark Kangar; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this championship team and their coaches who have brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Jackson State University "Lady Tigers" Women's Basketball Team and "Coach of the Year" Tomekia Reed for winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Regular Season Championships in back-to-back years, for winning their first SWAC Postseason Championship since 2008, and for their appearance in the NCAA "March Madness" Postseason Tournament, and extend our best wishes to the players, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success in the NCAA Tournament.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Tomekia Reed and JSU President Thomas Hudson, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.