Senate Resolution 50

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BENOIT-RAY BROOKS HIGH SCHOOL "TIGERS" FOR WINNING ITS FIRST-EVER CLASS 1A STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AND ITS OUTSTANDING 2002-2003 SEASON.

WHEREAS, the Benoit-Ray Brooks High School "Tigers" Basketball Team won its first-ever Class 1A State Championship on Friday, March 7, 2003, with a thrilling 61-59 victory over Byers High School; and

WHEREAS, Ray Brooks High School is the smallest school in the State of Mississippi, with an enrollment of under 300 students, and with this victory, the student body and the community of Benoit went home with a championship to call their own; and

WHEREAS, this was the first championship for Ray Brooks High School, which completed this outstanding season with a record of 20-8, and which is only in its second year of existence; originally, the students in Benoit attended West Bolivar in Rosedale, but these students have a new school to attend and a championship to celebrate as their own; and

WHEREAS, on their way to the State Championship, the Ray Brooks Tigers made history by winning their District Championship and the Class 1A South Half Title; and

WHEREAS, the Tigers were a very physical team, ably coached by Head Coach S.C. Cannon and Assistant Coaches Dexter Bryant, Jerry Walker, Terry Leonard and Peris Leonard; and

WHEREAS, the roster of this championship team is as follows:

Position Grade

Ozell Baldridge, #3 Guard Senior

Latarris Howard, #12 Forward Senior

Lavoris Giles, #32 Center Junior

James Giles, #5 Guard Junior

Prentiss Tyler, #21 Forward Senior

Jeffrey Phillips, #15 Forward Junior

Travis McGee, #4 Forward Sophomore

Jimmie Kimble, #22 Guard Sophomore

Larry Lawrence, #00 Guard Senior

Eric Nelson, #14 Forward Freshman

Kozialski Nelson, #55 Guard 8th Grade

Gerry Love, #20 Guard Junior

Johnny Lewis and Wayne Leslie, Managers

Greg Walker, Lakeisha Wilson, Statisticians

WHEREAS, according to the players that made it happen, capturing the school's first state title was all a matter of having faith in each other; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the special accomplishments of this team which brought honor and identity to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Benoit-Ray Brooks High School "Tigers" Basketball Team and Head Coach S.C. Cannon for their first-ever State Class 1A Championship and their outstanding 2002-2003 season, and extend to them the best wishes of the Legislature for future scholastic and athletic successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Cannon and the team and the Principal of Benoit-Ray Brooks High School, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.