House Concurrent Resolution 71

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY "LADY COUGARS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR CAPTURING THE OVERALL STATE TITLE AND FOR A 43-0 PERFECT SEASON.

WHEREAS, The Brookhaven Academy "Lady Cougars" Girls Basketball Team and their fans celebrated after winning the Mississippi Private School Association's (MPSA) Overall Tournament Title with a 72-67 victory over Leake Academy on Saturday, February 28, 2004, at A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton; and

WHEREAS, the large gold basketball trophy, in the middle of a sea of blue, was hoisted high by the team as they received the accolades of the large throng of followers, estimated at 2,700; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Cougars finished the 2003-2004 season with a perfect 43-0 record, which places them in an elite group of student athletes across the state; and

WHEREAS, this championship was the first overall title since the 1983 season when the Lady Cougars prevailed after finishing runners-up a week earlier in the state tournament; and

WHEREAS, it was the first overall title for highly successful Brookhaven Academy Head Coach Barry Gray, who stated, "This team has a lot of character and is a fine group of Christian young ladies"; and

WHEREAS, Coach Gray has only one senior, Jessie Altman, in his starting lineup; juniors are Kelli Byrd, Lauren Smith, Mallory Logan and Kristian Davidson; sophomore Emily Langley is the top reserve; and the Lady Cougars team roster is as follows: Kelli Byrd, Amber Beeson, Kristian Davidson, Lauren Smith, Joy Powell, Jessica Diamond, Mallory Logan, Maddie Allen, Jessie Altman, Emily Langley and Allyson Pickett; and

WHEREAS, the championship game was a rematch of the previous Class AA Tournament finals, and the Lady Cougars got a strong second-half performance from Junior Center Kristian Davidson and a team-high 20 points from Junior Guard Kelli Byrd; and

WHEREAS, the following Lady Cougars made the MPSA Overall All-Tournament Team: Kelli Byrd, Jessie Altman, Lauren Smith and Mallory Logan; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the great team effort 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Brookhaven Academy "Lady Cougars" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Barry Gray for winning the MPSA Overall Tournament and for their perfect 43-0 season, and extend to them our heartiest wishes for success in all their future academic and athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Gray and the Lady Cougars Basketball Team, the Headmaster of Brookhaven Academy and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.