MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Frazier

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MURRAH HIGH SCHOOL "LADY MUSTANGS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH ANNA JACKSON FOR WINNING ITS SECOND CONSECUTIVE CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR ITS OUTSTANDING 1998-99 SEASON.

WHEREAS, the Murrah High School "Lady Mustangs" Girls Basketball Team finished its 1998-99 season with 19 straight victories and claimed its second consecutive Class 5A State Championship with a come-from-behind 60-57 win over Tupelo High School; and

WHEREAS, led by the "Dandy Dozen" trio of Kesha Tardy, Ebony Felder and Tamika Rogers, the Lady Mustangs finished the season 35-3, atop The Clarion-Ledger poll, and ranked 19th nationally by USA Today, and joined Harrison Central and Warren Central as the only teams to win back-to-back 5A crowns; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the Class 5A State Tournament, the Lady Mustangs won the Murrah High School Round Robin Tournament, the Jackson Public Schools City Tournament, the Division 5-5A Tournament and the 5A South Regional Tournament, were runner-up in the Jackson Public School Pepsi Holiday Classic and had a 2-2 showing in California's prestigious Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions; and

WHEREAS, Murrah is ably coached by Anna Jackson, who claimed her third 5A title this decade and has an overall record of 399-127, and with assistant coaches Charles Dillon and Marvin Jackson, fine tuned the athletic skills of the players and molded them into a team; and

WHEREAS, the following outstanding team members received individual honors for excellent performance: Kesha Tardy (averaged a team-high 17.6 points and 9 rebounds per game, was named All-Metro Player and All-State Player), Ebony Felder (averaged 16.5 points and 9 rebounds per game, was selected All-Metro and All-State Player), Tamika Rogers (averaged 13.9 points per game, was selected All-Metro and All-State Player), and other team players include Raven Rogers, LaShundra Speech, Alicia Jenkins, Courtney Cockrell, Crystal Jackson, Felicia Farrar, Sharon Hurley, Olicia King, Tomekia Reed, Christina Buford, LaTonya Johnson, Shaneka Jones, Managers Ayana Hudson, Quentessa Jackson and April Carter and Statistician Richard Howard; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have brought such honor to their school, 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 Murrah High School "Lady Mustangs" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Anna Jackson for winning its second consecutive Class 5A State Title and for its outstanding 1998-99 season, and wish them continued success in their athletic, academic and career endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Jackson and Principal Karen Wilson on behalf of the team and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.