House Resolution 58

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY LADY RAMS ON WINNING THE 2025 MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CLASS 2A GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Columbus Christian Academy Lady Rams reign supreme as the 2025 Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 2A State basketball champions; and

WHEREAS, this illustrious title is even more sweet because these fierce Lady Rams also won the 2023 MAIS Class 2A championship title, were the 2024 undefeated conference champions and the 2024 runner-up state champions; and

WHEREAS, what's even more spectacular is the fact that the Lady Rams have also captured the 2025 Class 2A North State championship, the 2025 Class 2A district championship, and are 2025 undefeated champions; and

WHEREAS, with over 100 career wins over the past four seasons, this team has been superbly coached by Head Coach Billy Thomas and Assistant Coach Todd Benge; and

WHEREAS, this dynamic team includes a number of players that have distinguished themselves with individual accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Satavia Watkins is a senior who has earned 1500 career points, made all conference for three years, was the 2025 District Offensive MVP, played in the 2025 North State All Tournament, and played for the 2025 State All Tournament team, and the 2025 All Star team; and

     WHEREAS, Carrie Kinard is an outstanding junior who has amassed 1000 career points, made All Conference four years, was selected the 2025 Conference Defensive MVP, played in the 2025 North State All Tournament team and the 2025 State All Tournament team; and
     WHEREAS, Ada Farlow is an impressive Senior with 1000 career points, who has made All Conference for three years, was selected as the 2024 Conference MVP, the 2025 Conference MVP and the 2025 North State MVP, played in the 2025 North State All Tournament, and played for the 2025 State All Tournament team and the 2025 All Star team; and
            WHEREAS, Presley Andrews is an amazing Senior who has been voted All Conference for the second year in a row, was selected to play in the 2025 North State All Tournament, and play for the 2025 State All Tournament team; and
            WHEREAS, Olivia Cantrell is an extraordinary Junior, who is also an All Conference 2025 player, and played in the 2025 North State All Tournament; and

WHEREAS, other stellar members of this championship team include seniors: Cassie Carter and Avery Johnston; juniors: Audrey Glover and Kaitlyn McCoy; freshmen: Anna Beth Thomas and Lanie Jones, 8th grader Starr Easterwood and Manager Isabella Denton, all of whom have been a tremendous support to the team throughout the season; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the excellence of student-athletes, especially the caliber of talent displayed by the Lady Rams:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Columbus Christian Academy Lady Rams, their Head Coach Billy Thomas and Assistant Coach Todd Benge upon winning the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class 2A Girls State Basketball championship.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Billy Thomas, Assistant Coach Todd Benge and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.