Senate Concurrent Resolution 597

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BOONEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL "BLUE DEVILS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MICHAEL SMITH FOR WINNING THE 2022 MHSAA CLASS 3A BOYS STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Booneville Senior Josh Dukes and the Blue Devils put together a stellar defensive performance in the second half to get past Southeast Lauderdale 47-35 to claim the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Boys Class 3A State Championship on March 3, 2022, at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, it is the Blue Devils (27-5) fifth State Title in school history and first State Title since 2011; and

WHEREAS, "We felt like we had to play a lot of zone defense, and we started man-to-man because we can't abandon what got us here. When we made the switch, it made them struggle. Our size became a factor, and as our defense goes, our offense goes," Booneville Head Coach Michael Smith said; and

WHEREAS, Southeast Lauderdale (18-11) jumped out to an 8-2 lead to begin the game, but Booneville ended the first quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 10-8 led at the end of the opening quarter.

The Blue Devils opened the second quarter on a quick 5-0 run to increase their lead to 15-8, but the Tigers closed the first half on a 7-3 run to cut the Booneville lead down to 18-15 at halftime.

To begin the third quarter, the Blue Devils went on a 7-1 run to extend their lead to 25-16. Booneville's defense held Southeast Lauderdale to just five points in the third quarter and 2-for-11 shooting from the field (18 percent). The Blue Devils held a 29-20 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Southeast Lauderdale got back-to-back baskets to begin the fourth quarter and cut the Booneville lead down to five points 29-24, but Kedrick Simmons hit a three-pointer with 6:41 left to extend the Booneville lead to 32-24 and the Tigers never got any closer; and

WHEREAS, Simmons had 13 points for the Blue Devils. Josh Dukes had a game-high 15 points to lead Booneville and was named the game's "Most Valuable Player." Dicorean McGee added 11 points for Booneville; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Blue Devils Basketball Team Championship Roster: J.J. Brown, L.J. Shumpert, Dalton Jackson, Caleb Gaston, Landon Brown, Kedrick Simmons, Dicorean McGee, Jekemry Bell, Briley McKinney, Clark Janzen, Elijah Shumpert, Trenton Rocker, Josh Dukes, Alec Nunley, James Dukes, Kade White, Riley Barnes, Rokendis Coleman, Elijah Shumpert, Matthew Windham, and Gage Harrelson; and Head Coach Michael Smith, Assistant Coaches Kenny Paul Geno, Chip Johnson, Cole Lauderdale, Micah Moment and Bryant Tynes; 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Booneville High School "Blue Devils" Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Michael Smith for winning the 2022 MHSAA Class 3A Boys State Basketball 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 Head Coach Michael Smith and Booneville Principal Bo Sandlin, forwarded to the Booneville School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.