MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Frazier

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LANIER HIGH SCHOOL "BULLDOGS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH THOMAS BILLUPS FOR WINNING THE STATE CLASS 5A TITLE.

WHEREAS, the Lanier High School "Bulldogs" Boys Basketball Team beat Provine High School 65-50 for the State Class 5A Tournament Title before a sellout crowd, which earned the team a state record 12th title with four state championships over the last seven seasons, and brought its record to a remarkable 12-1 in the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs finished the 1998-1999 season with an outstanding 36-3 record, and are No. 1 in The Clarion-Ledger final poll, matching their rankings in 1993, 1996 and 1997; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs are ably led by Head Coach Thomas Billups, who has an impressive 234-40 career record at Lanier High School, and Assistant Coaches Darryl Thompson and Sylvester Kyles, and for this successful season, Coach Billups was named "Metro Coach of the Year" and "Mississippi High School State Coach of the Year" by The Clarion-Ledger; and

WHEREAS, this championship season included the following tournament results: won Yazoo City Tournament, won Jackson City-Wide Tournament, Second Place in the Jackson Public School Pepsi Holiday Tournament, won District 3-5A Tournament, won North State Tournament and State 5A Tournament; and

WHEREAS, individual players on the Bulldogs received the following recognition for outstanding performance: Darius Rice (20.4 average points per game, 7 rebounds, All-State Team, All-Metro Team, All-JPS Pepsi Holiday Tournament Team); James Thomas (17.9 average points per game, 3.7 average assists per game, All-State, All-Metro, All-District, All-North State, Most Valuable Player City Tournament); Soloman Forbes (10.9 average points per game, sophomore co-captain of the team, All-State Team, All-Metro, All-District); Cornelius Torrence (All-JPS Pepsi Holiday Tournament Team, North Mississippi All-Star Game); Antwain Ellis (All-JPS Pepsi Holiday Tournament Team) and Shelton Ferguson for making the highest score on the ACT test given at Lanier High School; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this fine group of student athletes which has brought honor to its school, community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, That we hereby commend and congratulate the Lanier High School "Bulldogs" Boys Basketball Team and Coach Thomas Billups for winning the State Class 5A Title, and wish them continued success in their future athletic, academic and career endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Billups and the Principal of Lanier High School on behalf of the team and that copies be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.