MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hewes, Cuevas, Dawkins, Gollott

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE HARRISON CENTRAL "RED REBELS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING ITS THIRD 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Senior Timmy Bowers scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the No. 1 ranked Harrison Central "Red Rebels" Boys Basketball Team beat No. 4 Murrah High School 63-60 in a thrilling overtime victory for the 5A State Championship before a crowd of 5,500 at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Central finished the season with an impressive 32-3 record and top-ranked in The Clarion Ledger poll, and through flawless defense won its third state title, which was its first since 1995; and

WHEREAS, the Red Rebels won the Gulfport Holiday Classic Tournament, the Forrest County Invitational Tournament and the Division 8 Championship on its way to the 5A State Championship game; and

WHEREAS, the 1999-2000 Red Rebels were built around senior starters Timmy Bowers (Mississippi Player of the Year, Top Student Athlete, 3.5 GPA, Player of the Year on Gulf Coast, All-Division, All-South Mississippi, All-Coast, All-Harrison County, All-State), Dewey Turner (All-Division, All-South Mississippi, All-Coast, All-Harrison County, All-State), and 6'8" Devin Davis (All-Coast, All-Harrison County); and

WHEREAS, this championship squad was led by Coach Ricky Stone (who played on the state championship team at Stone High School in 1979 and coached his alma mater to a state championship in 1991) and Assistant Coach Melvin Holliman (who played on Gulfport's 1979 state championship team), and both of these coaches will always remember this team's drive for excellence, and were especially rewarded by this team's academic success; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the outstanding accomplishment of this group of 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Harrison Central "Red Rebels" Boys Basketball Team for winning its third State 5A Championship, and wish them continued success in their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Coach Ricky Stone on behalf of the team, the Principal of Harrison Central, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.