Senate Concurrent Resolution 603

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PRENTISS HIGH SCHOOL "BULLDOGS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING ITS FIRST STATE TITLE AND FOR ITS OUTSTANDING 2003 SEASON.

WHEREAS, on Saturday, March 8, 2003, the Prentiss High School "Bulldogs" Boys Basketball Team dethroned defending Class 3A State Champion Corinth 59-52 at the Mississippi Coliseum before an estimated crowd of 4,500 to win its first-ever Class 3A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, Prentiss finished the 2002-2003 season with an outstanding record of 29-8 under Head Coach Lonnie McLemore, who claimed his first gold ball in a 33-year career; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs Dandy Dozen Junior Center Al Jefferson scored 45 points in the championship game, grabbed 15 rebounds, dunked 8 times and blocked 8 shots, scoring 23 consecutive points in the first half alone; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs placed 2nd in the District 7 Tournament and 3rd in the South State Regional Tournament on their way to the State Championship game, having placed 2nd in the Mendenhall Tournament and the Lawrence County Tournament and 3rd in the Forest Hill, Arkansas Tournament; and

WHEREAS, team leaders Al Jefferson and Bruce Harris were named to the All-State team, while Jefferson was named MVP and Best Offensive Player in District 7 and Harris was named to the All-District Team; and

WHEREAS, the team was ably coached by Lonnie McLemore and Assistant Coach Wanda Adra, who drilled the Bulldogs on the man-to-man defensive press before the championship game and will cherish this state title for a long time; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this first-ever achievement by these 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 Prentiss High School "Bulldogs" Boys Basketball Team and Coach Lonnie McLemore for winning their first-ever Class 3A State Championship and for their outstanding 2002-2003 season, and extend to them the best wishes of the Legislature for their future athletic and academic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Prentiss Bulldogs Basketball Team, Coach McLemore and the Principal of Prentiss High School, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.