Senate Resolution 57

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE EAST RANKIN ACADEMY "LADY PATRIOTS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH BROOKE RHODES FOR WINNING THE 2024 MAIS OVERALL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, fourteen years ago to the day Brooke Rhodes celebrated an overall tournament state championship as an East Rankin Academy basketball player, she celebrated again as an East Rankin Academy coach on February 29, 2024; and

WHEREAS, the East Rankin Academy (39-8) "Lady Patriots" from MAIS Class 5A, won the MAIS Overall tournament 41-39 over 2023 overall champion Madison-Ridgeland Academy (37-4); and

WHEREAS, "This is so much more special winning as a coach," Rhodes said. "These players are awesome. They deserve this, and so it's been really fun to watch them grow up this year, and to win overall is awesome"; and

WHEREAS, breaking a 14-year streak came down to one possession. Rhodes drew up a play for a must-score. Tied 39-39, senior Addison Brown took the game into her hands. With a spin move at the top of the key and a dribble drive to pass two defenders to the basket, Brown shot a layup off the glass and it dropped in. "All I knew was we had to score to win," said Brown who had a team-high 12 points. "She (Rhodes) told us that we're looking for a lineup. If we didn't have one to call a timeout, and I saw the lane and went to work"; and

WHEREAS, East Rankin hustling back on defense and a missed shot by MRA meant pandemonium. East Rankin, who lost the MAIS 5A State Championship to Rossville Christian Academy, rallied to win four games in the overall tournament and finish the year as the best girls team in MAIS; and

WHEREAS, the 2024 East Rankin Academy "Lady Patriots" Basketball Championship Team: Addison Brown, Presley Thompson, Holly Jackson, Hannah Jackson, Addison Derrick, Ansley Miller, Liz Stevens, Elizabeth Thrash, Hayden Faulkner, Krissi Joe Simmons, Brynlee Davis and Audrey Brown; Head Coach Brooke Rhodes; and Assistant Coaches Keith Rhodes and Austin Banes; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these 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 East Rankin Academy "Lady Patriots" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Brooke Rhodes for winning the 2024 MAIS overall tournament 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 Brooke Rhodes and East Rankin Academy Head of School Robyn Winstead for the team, forwarded to the East Rankin Academy Board of Trustees and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.