Senate Resolution 53

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE CLINTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY "WARRIORS" AND "LADY WARRIORS" BASKETBALL TEAMS AND HEAD COACHES JOSH ZEITZ AND ERICA McCASKILL FOR MAKING HISTORY WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS MIDSOUTH ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, winning a championship is impressive. Sweeping the Girls and Boys State Championships is even more spectacular. However, winning both championships without a gym is monumental. Clinton Christian Academy (CCA), this year's MAIS Class 3A State Champions, has done just that; and

WHEREAS, this year, both teams made history by bringing home the school's first State Basketball Championships. It was particularly special because of the bond that has formed between them. Clinton Christian Academy has broken ground to build a new state-of-the-art athletic and performing arts center this year; but, during basketball season, the gym was not completed. That meant that CCA had no court to call home. Although it is not the first season the school has been in this predicament, COVID made this year much more challenging. Clinton United Methodist Church allowed them to use their gym for workouts, but that meant late after school practices. The athletes would head home at the final bell to complete their schoolwork, then gather at the church for practice. The Lady Warriors began at 6:00 p.m. The boys started at 8:30 p.m., once the girls finished. It was usually 10:00 p.m. before practice was done. They played their only four "home" games this season at the Sunnybrook Christian Home, while the rest of the season was spent on the road. It was not a schedule for the faint at heart, but the Warrior family preserved; and

WHEREAS, Coach Josh Zeitz is in his sixth year at Clinton Christian Academy. He joined the staff in 2015 as head of the boys basketball program and assistant with the baseball and softball programs. Three years later, he took over as head coach of the softball team, guiding them to back-to-back State Championships. Then, he took over the coaching responsibilities of the Lady Warriors Basketball Team, and the girls played for the State Championship for the first time in the history of the thirteen-year-old school; and

WHEREAS, the Warriors began the season favored to make a run deep into the playoffs. The young group has played for four South State Championships in the last five years and returned several experienced players. Six members of their original nine-man roster have been a part of Zeitz's program since the seventh grade. They are led by sophomore, K.J. Sykes. The point guard is a four-year starter who averaged 19 points, six assists, four rebounds and four 4 steals per game this season. Transfer students, Trey Alexander from Clinton High School and Jayy Whitehead were key players on both ends of the floor. Another big offensive push came from senior, Devin Collins, who made 75 three-pointers during the season. The team went undefeated in 3A, finishing the regular season 29-6; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Warriors had a slightly more difficult road. They started the season 5-9, and COVID concerns caused them to lose five games over the Christmas break. However, with five of the seven girls as members of the school's championship softball team, they knew how to win. A key late-season run landed them back into the State Championship Game with a regular season finish 20-10. The team's balance makes them hard to defend. The team is led by Coach Zeitz's daughter, Hanna, a senior point guard who had 94 assists this season. However, scoring could come from nearly any place on the court. Shooting guard, Maddie Weeks, led the defensive effort and made 35 shots from outside the arc. Iris Farve, who earned offensive MVP honors for the district, averaged 10 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore, Rilee Evans took home the district MVP honors after leading the scoring for most of the year. Those three got offensive help in the State Championship from senior Grace Murray, who put up 20 points and snagged 11 rebounds. Callie Abraham and Audrey Bryson also provided vital help from the bench; and

WHEREAS, Zeitz became only the second coach in MAIS history to win both the girls and boys State Basketball Championships in the same year; and

WHEREAS, the Warriors 2021 Championship Roster: Parker Price, Brandon Birks, Jayy Whitehead, Collin Stepp, K.J. Sykes, Jamar Guy, Devin Brown, Trey Alexander, Keiwon Rodgers, Bobby Gibson, Noah Phillips, Jeremy Spiller, Grey Craft, Devin Collins, Bray Farve, Head Coach Erica McCaskill; and Head Coach Josh Zeitz; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Warriors 2021 Championship Roster: Sara Sanders, Lindsea Razino, Grace Murray, Callie Abraham, Audrey Bryson, Maddie Weeks, Hanna Zeitz, Rilee Evans, Chelsea Razino, Abbey Abraham, Annie King, Ramsee Evans, Iris Farve, Maddie Bruner; and Head Coach Josh Zeitz; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these two special teams 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Clinton Christian Academy "Warriors" and "Lady Warriors" Basketball Teams and Coaches Josh Zeitz and Erica McCaskill for making history with one Boys and Girls Midsouth Association of Independent Schools Class 3A State Championship and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

be it further resolved, that this resolution be presented to Coaches Josh Zeitz and Erica McCaskill and Headmaster Phillip Broome, forwarded to the Clinton Christian Academy Board of Trustees and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.