Senate Resolution 65

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BROAD STREET HIGH SCHOOL "LADY JAGUARS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND LONGTIME COACH WILLIE WASHINGTON FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST-EVER CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the long quest for the coveted "Gold Ball" trophy finally came to a successful close for the Broad Street High School, Shelby, Mississippi, "Lady Jaguars" Basketball Team on Saturday, March 8, 2003, before a raucous crowd of 3,000 at the Mississippi Coliseum, when they won their first-ever Class 2A Girls State Championship with a decisive 70-49 victory over Coldwater High School; and

WHEREAS, the success of the Broad Street Lady Jags did not go unnoticed in the state; the team finished the year by ranking eighth in the state in the girls poll, after posting an impressive 34-4 record; and

WHEREAS, with Ray Brooks winning the 1A title, it was the first time ever that Bolivar County had two state champion basketball teams in the same year; and

WHEREAS, "This is a dream come true" said longtime Lady Jags Head Coach Willie Washington, who has spent 13 of his 34 years at Broad Street coaching the girl's basketball team, and who expressed his thanks to the community for supporting championship basketball in the Delta; Coach Washington is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University and has coached football, basketball and track at Broad Street since December 1968; Coach Washington taught this team that offense wins ballgames but defense wins championships; and

WHEREAS, 2002-2003 was a landmark season because the Lady Jaguars had to travel and play their home games at Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale because of renovations to their gym; they finished with a perfect record inside their Division 3-2A, put together a 24-game consecutive winning streak at one point in the season, and won the 2A North Half Regional Title before advancing to the State Championship Tournament; and

WHEREAS, the roster of the 2002-2003 Lady Jaguars is as follows: Stephanie Bell, Kenyatta Brown, Treeuanna Butler, Courtney Gooden, Chiquita Grady, Sherikee Grim, Metoya Holmes, Nekilah Howard, Ursula Johns, Jerrica Moore, Victoria Sigle, Ashley Smith, Lashundreya Townsend, Sophia Townsend, Leanna Tucker, Renika Williams, Tacillya Wright, Jalessa Young and Stephanie Young (Scorekeeper); Willie Washington, Head Basketball Coach, Nora Davis and Karsha Peterson, Assistant Coaches; and

WHEREAS, this basketball season proved that the Lady Jaguars are for real, and it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishments 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Broad Street High School, Shelby, Mississippi, "Lady Jaguars" Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Willie Washington for winning their first-ever Class 2A State Championship and for their excellent 2002-2003 season, and wish them success in their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Lady Jaguars, Coach Washington, Principal Walter Robey, Sr., and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.