Senate Concurrent Resolution 572

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BIGGERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL "LIONS" GIRLS AND BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS AND HEAD COACH CLIFF LITTLE FOR WINNING TWO MHSAA CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE SAME DAY.

WHEREAS, on Thursday, March 3, 2022, Biggersville High School "Lady Lions" claimed the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 1A Girls Basketball State Title 56-53 over McEvans. Asia Stafford was named "Player of the Game"; and

WHEREAS, Coach Cliff Little then led the Biggersville Boys to a 45-37 State Title win over H.W. Byers at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, Coach Cliff Little is now on the list of coaches who have a Mississippi High School Girls Basketball State Championship and a Mississippi Boys Basketball State Championship. It's the second title in as many years for Coach Little, who led the Biggersville Boys to their first title since 2013 last year. It's his first title in girls basketball. It's the fifth state title for Coach Little, who now has three as Biggersville's Boys Coach, one as East Webster's Boys Coach, and one as Biggersville's Girls Coach; and

WHEREAS, "With our girls, there's more to basketball than just Xs and Os," Coach Little said. "There's character, and these girls had no quit in them all year." McEvans led by as much as 11 in the third quarter, but the Lions cut the deficit to one by the end of the quarter and kept the momentum going in the fourth; and

WHEREAS, following the win, Coach Little turned his attention to coach the boys team in its Class 1A State Title Game against H.W. Byers. "Luckily, they pretty much coach themselves," Coach Little said of the boys team. "I've got a group of seniors who are unbelievable. Win or lose, it's the best team I've ever had"; and

WHEREAS, the Roster for the 2021-2022 Biggersville "Lions" Boys Basketball Championship Team is: Jarell Jones, Jathan Hatch, Malachi Stafford, Brooks Brand, Tre Mayes, Zae Davis, Dwight Montgomery, Case Hilliard, Vincent Nicholas, Jackson Wamsley, Dietrich Shugars, Brooks Seago and Braxton Ross; Head Coach Cliff Little; and Assistant Coach Tracy Stafford; and

WHEREAS, the Roster for the 2021-2022 Biggersville "Lady Lions" Girls Basketball Championship Team is: Leileigh Moody, Shadarriana Stewart, Emily Reynolds, Lainey Little, Shelby Cooper, Taylor Mitchell, Presleigh Rhodes, Marlee McCallister, Sariah Hoyle, Kerstyn Hamm, Aaliyah Moody, Hannah Seago, Goldee Butler, Asia Stafford, Sierra Hastings, Abbie Steward, Kyleigh Steward and Jaylee Stafford; and Head Coach Cliff Little; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the basketball tradition in these student athletes who again 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 Biggersville High School "Lions" Girls and Boys Basketball Teams and Head Coach Cliff Little for winning two MHSAA Class 1A State Championships on the same day, and extend to Coach Little, the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Cliff Little and Biggersville Principal Pete Seago, forwarded to the Alcorn County Board of Education, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.