Senate Resolution 65

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL YELLOW JACKETS 2026 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND FIRST-YEAR COACH ANTHONY CARLYLE FOR WINNING THE CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Starkville High School Yellow Jackets Boys Basketball Team led by first-year Head Coach Anthony Carlyle rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Germantown High School 40-36 on March 6, 2026, in the Boys Class 7A Basketball State Championship; and

WHEREAS, Germantown led 7-6 after the first quarter and 22-15 at halftime, but Starkville outscored Germantown 14-10 in the third quarter and 11-4 in the fourth to complete the comeback. The turning point came late in the third quarter, when Starkville cut the deficit from 30-21 to 32-29. MVP Jerwan McCarter hit a three-pointer, MHSAA 7A Scholar Athlete Terrell Warren, Jr., added a three-pointer, and Tyreq Hendrix knocked down another three-pointer with 50 seconds left in the period. Starkville then opened the fourth with baskets from Ladanuel Jordan and Andricus Howard to tie it at 34, before Jordan scored again with 5:21 left to put Starkville ahead for good at 36-34; and

WHEREAS, McCarter led Starkville with 10 points, while Jordan added eight points, Tyreq Hendrix scored six, and Kobe Hendrix finished with five points and three rebounds. Starkville made six of 13 from the three-point range and held a 26-21 rebounding edge; and

WHEREAS, the Starkville High School Yellow Jackets Boys Basketball Team has a 2026 record of 29 wins and three losses. They started and finished the 2026 season at consensus No. 1 in the state. Although this is Head Coach Anthony Carlyle's first year with the Yellow Jackets, it is his 7th career state championship as head coach; and

WHEREAS, besides the accolades already named, further honors include: Jerwan McCarter as MHSAA 7A State Championship MVP, 2026 7A MS/AL All-Star, and All Region 2/7A; Terrell Warren, Jr., MHSAA 7A Scholar Athlete, 2026 Boys Basketball Dandy Dozen honoree, and All Region 2/7A; Jaden Tate as 2026 Boys Basketball Dandy Dozen honoree, 2026 7A MS/AL All-Star, and All Region 2/7A; Kobe Hendrix as 2025 7A North/South All Star; and Ladanuel Jordan as All Region 2/7A; and

WHEREAS, the 2025-2026 Starkville High School Yellow Jackets Boys Basketball Team Roster: 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; Head Coach Anthony Carlyle; and Assistant Coaches Chance Collins, Jerrial Dawson, Tory Rice and Jeremiah Chandler; 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 Starkville High School Yellow Jackets 2026 Boys Basketball Team and first-year Coach Anthony Carlyle for winning the Class 7A State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future victories.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Anthony Carlyle and Starkville Principal Dr. Watress Harris for the team, forwarded to the Starkville-Oktibbeha County School Board and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.