House Resolution 76

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2022-2023 WEST LAUDERDALE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER TEAM AND HEAD COACH BRANDON RODGERS UPON WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 4A GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the West Lauderdale High School Lady Knights Soccer Team continues to amass trophies as they defeated the Stone County High School Lady Tomcats Soccer Team 5-0 in Brandon, Mississippi, to emerge as the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A Girls Soccer State Championship title holders on February 4, 2023; and

WHEREAS, in becoming the 2022-2023 MHSAA Class 4A Girls Soccer State Champions, the Lady Knights, with an extremely impressive 23-2-1 season, invested countless measures of hard work above and beyond the efforts of other teams, outscoring their opponents 151-14 in the season and 19-0 in the state game play off to bring home its fifth golden title ball in the school's history, and first since 2020; and

WHEREAS, in their ascent to the state championship victory, the Lady Knights first clinched the North State Championship by taking down the New Albany Lady Bulldogs by the score of 5-0, and it would not have been possible without the robust, energetic and driven efforts by Kristen Phillips and Bailee Fairley, who each scored two goals, Alexa Shirley, who added the extra goal, and the Lady Knights' goalkeeper Anna Kate Humphries, who recorded her 16th shutout this season; and

WHEREAS, striving to win with unparalleled motivation and ardent determination, the Lady Knights played their best game of the season during the state championship match, as their mental stamina and athletic prowess never wavered from the moment they exited the locker room until the final buzzer signaled victory and they raised their well-deserved championship trophy; and

WHEREAS, the 2022-2023 Lady Knights' team statistics were impressive, but the key to this team's consistent success has been the constant atmosphere and year-round hard work by the following talented and distinguished players: Audrey Smith, Anna Kate Humphries, Kylie Reid, Eden Culpepper, Katie Lank, Chloe Reid, Abigail Sanders, Annisten Snider, Lexy Followay, Maddie Kate Bunyard, Jolee Todd, Lillian Anderson, Kristen Phillips, Addison Scott, Kaylea Hicks, Alexa Shirley, Kennedy Hicks, Jena Shirley, Macy Shirley, Lilly Grace Henderson, Haley Graham, Bailee Fairley, Sara Anslee Mason, Anna Vincent, Karen Balderas, Elizabeth Bailey, Alyse Wilson, Kaylee Harrison, Ella Morse and Madison Blair Ammon; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Knights have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Brandon Rodgers and Assistant Coach Celeste Boswell, who have broadened the team's knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, in their tireless dedication, the Lady Knights have developed a winning, cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitudes reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches, bringing honor to West Lauderdale High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the superb accomplishments of Mississippi student-athletes, especially those such as the West Lauderdale High School Girls Soccer Team, whose excellence on the field and in the classroom bring honor to their school, their community and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 2022-2023 West Lauderdale High School Girls Soccer Team and Head Coach Brandon Rodgers upon winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A Girls Soccer State Championship and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Brandon Rodgers, West Lauderdale High School Principal Shane Rodgers, the Lauderdale County School Board and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.