Senate Concurrent Resolution 601

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY LADY TIGER BASKETBALL COACH DENISE TAYLOR AND HER STAFF FOR THE SUCCESSFUL 2001-2002 SEASON AND THE NEW DIRECTION OF THE PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, when Jackson State University hired Denise Taylor to coach the Lady Tiger Basketball Team in June of 2001, she promised the team would play hard, play aggressive defense and be prepared to play. Nine months since Taylor addressed the media at a press conference accepting the JSU job, the Lady Tiger Basketball Team followed Coach T's plan and philosophy and finished the season as one of the top teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Tigers completed Taylor's first season with a 16-13 overall record and made it to the semifinal round of the SWAC Tournament where they were eliminated by league and eventual tournament champions, Southern University (24-4 on the year) in overtime, 65-63. The team won 12 of its last 16 games. The 16-13 record was accomplished with virtually the same players that went 16-37 the two years prior to Taylor's arrival; and

WHEREAS, Taylor's success at JSU should come as no surprise. In 1991, Taylor made school history at American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, when she coached the team to its first winning season while setting nine school records. Two years later, she was named Conference Coach of the Year as she guided the Golden Eagles of Northeastern Illinois University to back-to-back winning seasons. In 1997, Taylor was chosen as one of eight coaches to launch the inaugural season of the WNBA. Taylor was named the Head Coach of the Utah Starzz in Salt Lake City, Utah; and

WHEREAS, in her first year directing the Lady Tiger basketball program, Taylor showed that her versatility and talent exceeded the coaching arena. She served as color analyst on the JSU men's basketball radio broadcast and MBN tabbed her to do the color on its telecast of the SWAC's women tournament championship game; and

WHEREAS, LaTesha Lee, a sophomore point guard, was the team leader. More than any other player on the team, she epitomized Taylor's defensive philosophy. She led the nation in steals for most of the year and finished the season with 129. She led the team and SWAC in assists with 156 (6.0 per game); and surprisingly from her point guard position, she led the team in rebounding, averaging 7.1 per game; and

WHEREAS, junior forward, Genina Johnson, was the team's leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game. She also led the team in three-point shooting, hitting 74 of 229 attempts. Junior guard Sonia Washington was the team's second leading scorer (9.8) and she was second in three-point shooting (22 of 78). Seniors Demetria Richards (C) and LaKimberly Johnson (F) averaged 7.5 and 6.6 points per game, respectively. Senior reserves Lamatha Doss (G) averaged 3.1 points per game, Stacey Webb (G) averaged 4.1 points per game in an injury-shortened season and Mekel Richardson (F) averaged 1.0 points per game. Lee, Genina Johnson and Washington, along with other teammates Revah DeMar, Jasmine Walls, Alisha Richard, Shi'Nitta "Rene" Woulard, Chinye're Marner and Christina Buford, give Taylor and her staff, Larry McNeal, Gloria Miller and Freddy Murray, a solid nucleus to build around for the future; and

WHEREAS, Coach Taylor's basic coaching philosophy is attention to details through the teaching of fundamentals, and it is with pride that we recognize her early success in turning the program around at JSU and bringing honor to her university 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 Jackson State University Lady Tiger Basketball Coach Denise Taylor and her staff for the successful 2001-2002 season and for the new direction of the JSU program, and wish her continued success in future seasons.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Denise Taylor and to the 2001-2002 Lady Tigers Basketball Team, be forwarded to the President of Jackson State University, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.