MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Banks, Fleming, Bozeman, Clarke, Coleman (65th), Denny, Ellington, Evans, Montgomery, Reeves, Robinson (63rd), Stribling, Wallace

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LANIER HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 1998-99 SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, winning the Class 5A State Championship, the Lanier High School Bulldogs Boys Basketball Team finished the 1998-99 season with an outstanding record of 36 wins and only 3 losses; and

WHEREAS, throughout the Bulldogs' season, they won several tournaments, including the Yazoo City Tournament, the Jackson City Tournament, the District Tournament and the North State Tournament and placed second in the JPS Pepsi Holiday Tournament; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Thomas Billups and Assistant Coaches Sylvester Kyles and Darryl Thompson, who have broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, Coach Billups has brought additional honor to Lanier High School by being named the Mississippi High School Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1999, the Metro Coach of the Year in 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1999 and the Basketball Coach of the Year in 1997, and he has a career record at Lanier High School of 234 wins and only 40 losses; and

WHEREAS, many individual honors have been bestowed upon the players, including: the selection of Antwain Ellis to the All-Tournament Team and the JPS Pepsi Holiday Tournament Team; the naming of Solomon Forbes to the All-Metro Team, the All-District Team and the All-State Team; the selection of Darius Rice to the All-Metro Team, the All-District Team, the All-North State Team and the All-Tournament Team; the naming of James Thomas to the All-Metro Team, the All-District Team, the All-North State Team and the All-Tournament Team and as the MVP of the City Tournament; and the naming of Cornelius Torrence to the All-Tournament Team and the JPS Pepsi Holiday Tournament Team; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs have developed a winning and cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitude reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches and bring honor to Lanier High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the young people of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Lanier High School Bulldogs Boys Basketball Team, Head Coach Thomas Billups and Assistant Coaches Sylvester Kyles and Darryl Thompson, for their outstanding 1998-99 season, for winning the Class 5A State Championship and for displaying tireless devotion to their athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Lanier High School, Head Coach Thomas Billups, Assistant Coaches Sylvester Kyles and Darryl Thompson and members of the Capitol Press Corps.