House Resolution 116

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL YELLOWJACKETS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH ANTHONY CARLYLE UPON WINNING THE 2026 MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Starkville High School Yellowjackets Boys Basketball Team, led by first-year Head Coach Anthony Carlyle, captured the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 7A State Championship on March 6, 2026, with a thrilling 40-36 victory over Germantown High School, demonstrating resilience, determination and championship poise on the biggest stage in Mississippi high school basketball; and

WHEREAS, the Yellowjackets rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit after Germantown held a 22-15 lead at the break, as Starkville mounted a determined comeback by outscoring Germantown 14-10 in the third quarter and dominating the fourth quarter 11-4 to secure the championship victory; and

WHEREAS, the turning point in the contest came late in the third quarter when Starkville erased a nine-point deficit, cutting Germantown's lead from 30-21 to 32-29 after a trio of three-pointers by Jerwan McCarter, Terrell Warren, Jr., and Tyreq Hendrix, igniting momentum that carried the Yellowjackets into the decisive fourth quarter; and

WHEREAS, Starkville opened the final period with baskets from Ladanuel Jordan and Andricus Howard to tie the game at 34-34 before Jordan delivered a crucial basket with 5:21 remaining to give the Yellowjackets a 36-34 advantage they would never relinquish; and

WHEREAS, championship Most Valuable Player Jerwan McCarter led the Yellowjackets with 10 points, while Ladanuel Jordan added eight points, Tyreq Hendrix contributed six points, and Kobe Hendrix finished with five points and three rebounds, as Starkville connected on six of thirteen three-point attempts and controlled the glass with a 26-21 rebounding advantage; and

WHEREAS, the Starkville High School Yellowjackets completed a remarkable 2026 season with an outstanding record of 29 wins and three losses, beginning and ending the season ranked the consensus No. 1 team in Mississippi, reflecting their sustained excellence and dominance throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, although this marks the first season for Head Coach Anthony Carlyle with the Yellowjackets, the championship represents the seventh state title of his distinguished coaching career, further solidifying his reputation as one of the premier basketball coaches in Mississippi high school athletics; and

WHEREAS, numerous individual honors further highlight the exceptional talent within the program, including Jerwan McCarter as the MHSAA 7A State Championship Most Valuable Player, a 2026 7A Mississippi/Alabama All-Star and All-Region 2/7A selection; Terrell Warren, Jr., as MHSAA 7A Scholar Athlete, a 2026 Boys Basketball Dandy Dozen honoree and All-Region 2/7A selection; Jaden Tate as a 2026 Boys Basketball Dandy Dozen honoree, a 2026 7A Mississippi/Alabama All-Star and All-Region 2/7A selection; Kobe Hendrix as a 2025 7A North/South All-Star; and Ladanuel Jordan as an All-Region 2/7A selection; and

WHEREAS, the members of the 2025-2026 Starkville High School Yellowjackets Boys Basketball Team whose dedication, discipline and teamwork led them to this prestigious state championship include: Jaden Tate, Jaylan Carlyle, Terrell Warren, Jr., Traylen Guy, Kobe Hendrix, Jyhiem Robinson, Ja'Donis Wallace, Nicholas Gregory, Andricus Howard, Ravon Collier, Jr., Rondeze Harris, Jr., Tyreq Hendrix, Kaiden Robinson, Jamari Ross, Jerwan McCarter, Atavious Baker and Ladanuel Jordan; and

WHEREAS, guiding this championship team are Head Coach Anthony Carlyle and Assistant Coaches Chance Collins, Jerrial Dawson and Tory Rice, whose leadership, preparation and commitment to excellence helped shape the discipline and competitive spirit that propelled the Yellowjackets to the pinnacle of Class 7A basketball; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding achievements by Mississippi student-athletes who bring honor to their schools, their communities 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 Starkville High School Yellowjackets Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Anthony Carlyle upon winning the 2026 MHSAA Class 7A State Championship, and extend best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and supporters for continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Starkville High School Head Coach Anthony Carlyle on behalf of the Yellowjackets Boys Basketball Team and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.