MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Sparks

Senate Resolution 63

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL "LADY CARDINALS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH CHRIS HIGGINBOTTOM FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, ITS 12TH STATE TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

     WHEREAS, Belmont High School "Lady Cardinals" Girls Basketball Team clinched its 12th State Title in school history by defeating Kossuth High School 56-55 in overtime in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A Girls Basketball State Championship on March 6, 2021, at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, this was both teams' first appearance in the State Title Game since 2019; and

     WHEREAS, Kossuth High School was shut out in the first quarter, which ended 9-0.  The only scoring happened when Belmont made three consecutive 3-pointers.  Belmont, who was paced by senior Macie Walker's 29 points, opened the game on a 9-0 run; and

     WHEREAS, Kossuth stormed back in the second quarter and carried a 32-31 lead into the fourth quarter.  Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, but 32 minutes was not enough.  Macie Walker had five points down the stretch and added the game-winning assist to freshman Brooklyn Hodum in overtime; and

     WHEREAS, the 2021 Lady Cardinals Championship Basketball Team roster:  Abby Kuykendall, Alaina Hubbard, Madie Enlow, Taylor Hutcheson, Cheyenne Hughes, AnnaKaren Merino, Macie Walker, Mary-Grace Storment, Brooklyn Hodum, Sadie Holt, Kalea Koger, Kassi Grimes and Rayleigh Guin; and Head Coach Chris Higginbottom; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Belmont High School "Lady Cardinals" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Chris Higginbottom for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Championship, its 12th State Title in school history, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for continued success.

     be it further resolved, that this resolution be presented to Coach Chris Higginbottom and Belmont High School Principal Jeff Boren for the team, forwarded to the Tishomingo County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.