Senate Resolution 131

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL "LADY CARDINALS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH CHRIS HIGGINBOTTOM FOR AN EXCITING WIN AGAINST REGIONAL RIVAL BOONEVILLE IN THE MHSAA 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Belmont High School "Lady Cardinals" Girls Basketball Team led by Coach Chris Higginbottom edged out regional rival Booneville 40-39 on March 1, 2024, in an instant classic to clinch the 2024 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) 3A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the State Title is the 13th for the storied Belmont Girls' Basketball Program, the first since 2021 and the fifth under Coach Higginbottom; and

WHEREAS, Booneville was vying for its second-straight State Championship. The "Lady Devils" won the two previous meetings this season against Belmont, and like those past two games, the Championship bout was neck-and-neck for most of the contest. Belmont led it 12-11 after the first quarter and 19-14 at the half. Booneville closed the gap in the third quarter and went into the fourth facing a 30-28 deficit; and

WHEREAS, when Belmont star Carlie Brock fouled out with 1:08 to go and sent Booneville to the line in a tie game, it looked like the "Lady Cardinals" were defeated, but Coach Chris Higginbottom's "Lady Cardinals" pulled out a 40-39 win over their regional rival to clinch the 2023-2024 Class 3A State Championship at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, Belmont's Hailey Ivey's late-game heroics served as exclamation points at the end of an outstanding individual performance. The junior finished with a game-high 17 points and earned MVP honors; and

WHEREAS, "I've coached in eight State Championship games since I came to Belmont 19 years ago," Coach Higginbottom said. "And in seven of those games, we faced a team from our own region in the title game.... These games usually come down to one or two possessions, and who steps up and makes a play. That's why I'm so proud of our girls for playing together and finding a way to win"; and

WHEREAS, Belmont High School "Lady Cardinals" Girls Basketball Championship Team Roster is: Carlie Brock, Alaina Hubbard, Lamaya Southward, McKinley Bennett, Brooklyn Dill, Katerina Reno, Aubree Scott, Abby Lincoln, Karsyn Sullivan, Presley Ross, Sadie Randolph, Kendyl Sparks, Hailey Carouthers, Hailey Ivey, Zoe Henley, Amber Holcomb, Miesha Johnson and Hannah Nieto-Hale; and Coach Chris Higginbottom; 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Belmont High School "Lady Cardinals" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Chris Higginbottom for an exciting win against regional rival Booneville in the MHSAA 3A State Championship, and extend the best wishes of the Senate to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Higginbottom and Belmont High School Principal Isaac Taylor for the team, forwarded to the Tishomingo County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.