House Resolution 182

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MCEVANS SCHOOL WARRIORS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH ERIC HENRY FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the McEvans School Warriors Basketball Team raced past McAdams 67-48 to claim the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 1A Boys State Championship on March 2, 2023, at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, the Warriors finished the season with a 24-6 record, and the championship was the school's fifth state title in school history and its first since 2015, when the school was known as Shaw; and

WHEREAS, during the championship game, McAdams jumped out to a 9-3 lead to begin the game and eventually held a 16-6 lead at the end of the quarter, but after that, it was all the Warriors, as they implored the full-court press, which they had not used at all during the off season, which caught McAdams off guard, but forcing turnovers that led to easy baskets was something the Warriors had done all year; and

WHEREAS, behind a defense that forced 31 turnovers and the play of Brandon Hall and Jalen Smith, McEvans went on an 18-2 run in the second quarter to take a 24-18 lead and held a 24-21 halftime lead, and a 10-2 run to begin the second half stretched the Warriors' lead out to 34-23 and an 8-0 run to end the third quarter gave McEvans a 42-27 lead headed to the fourth; and

WHEREAS, during the final period, the Warriors' lead never dwindled below nine points, and Brandon Hall and Jalen Smith each had 18 points to lead McEvans, while Edward Smith added 11 points for the Warriors; and

WHEREAS, the 2022-2023 Warriors' Championship Team Roster consists of the following talented athletes: Omarion Blake, Jalen Smith, Brenton Hall, Jordan McDaniel, Brandon Hall, Elijah Johnson, Bryan Dotson, Antone Kirkland, Edward Smith, Delvin Jordan, Treyshawn Thomas, Raysheed Hornes, Tanari Cooper, and Rodrick Phillips; and Head Coach Eric Henry; and

WHEREAS, the Warriors have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Eric Henry, who has been coaching the team since they were in the tenth grade, and during his tenure with this group of young men, he has broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially that displayed by the McEvans School Boys Basketball Team, and it is with great pride that we congratulate this elite group of student-athletes and Head Coach Eric Henry, who have brought honor to their school and to the great 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 McEvans School Warriors Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Eric Henry for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A State Championship, and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Eric Henry, McEvans Principal Shannon Thompson, the Bolivar County School Board and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.