MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Walls, Hamilton, Jackson, Carlton, Dearing

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY STAR FRESHMAN BASKETBALL FORWARD, LATOYA THOMAS, FOR HER STUNNING INDIVIDUAL AWARDS, TEAM RECORDS AND CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE 1999-2000 SEASON.

WHEREAS, 6-foot-2 star freshman basketball forward, LaToya Thomas, has led the Lady Bulldogs Basketball Team to the best season in school history; and

WHEREAS, LaToya was a Parade All-American, and earned state player of the year honors twice at Greenville High School, and could have played for any of the game's traditional girls basketball powers, but chose to remain in her native state and has made an immediate impact at Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, LaToya broke the following individual records during the 1999-2000 Lady Bulldog season: most free throws made in a season (142); most free throws attempted in a season (281); best scoring average by a freshman (21.0); most points by a freshman (672); best field-goal percentage by a freshman (57.0); most blocks by a freshman (32); and most games played in a season (tied record); and

WHEREAS, she received the following individual awards and honors during the 1999-2000 Lady Bulldog season: First Team All-SEC; Most Valuable Player, Mississippi State Classic; SEC Freshman of the Year; Most Valuable Player, SEC Tournament; AP All-SEC First Team (Unanimous); AP SEC Newcomer of the Year (Unanimous); Sports Illustrated for Women Freshman of the Year; espn.com Rookie of the Year; Kodak All-District; Women's Basketball Journal Freshman of the Year; Women's Basketball Journal fourth team All-America; U.S. Basketball Writers Association Freshman of the Year; and Kodak All-America; and

WHEREAS, LaToya has made an immediate difference in the Lady Bulldogs this season, which saw the Lady Bulldogs break numerous team records, including best start, consecutive wins, wins in a season, points in a season, free throws in a season, attendance, most players on academic honor roll, first appearance in SEC Championship game and first NCAA Tournament win; and

WHEREAS, LaToya Thomas exemplifies the Lady Bulldog team spirit to continuously strive to improve and work harder, and it is with great pride that we recognize the leadership and individual honors which this student athlete has brought to her school, her 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 star Mississippi State basketball forward LaToya Thomas of Greenville, Mississippi, for her stunning individual awards, team records and career achievements made during the Lady Bulldogs 1999-2000 season, the best season in school history, and wish her continued success in her future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to LaToya Thomas and SEC Coach of the Year Sharon Fanning on behalf of the team, be forwarded to the President of Mississippi State University, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.