MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Williamson, Ross, Clarke, Harvey, Hyde-Smith, Kirby, Michel, Thames, White, Frazier
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2003 JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL (PREP) "LADY PATRIOTS" GIRLS FAST PITCH SOFTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH ALLYN BOND FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI PRIVATE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION'S (MPSA) OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
WHEREAS, on Saturday, October 4, 2003, the Jackson Preparatory School "Lady Patriots" Girls Fast Pitch Softball Team won its second consecutive Mississippi Private School Association Overall Championship with a dominating 8-2 victory over Hillcrest Christian School before an estimated crowd of 150 at Mississippi College; and
WHEREAS, this was the second straight Overall Championship title for the Lady Patriots, who for the second consecutive season defeated Hillcrest Christian School for the title, and finished with a 24-8 record and ranked No. 1 in The Clarion-Ledger final poll; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Allyn Bond finished her fourth season as head coach and sixth in the program (she was an Assistant Coach to her husband, Chris, for two seasons, and now Chris is her Assistant Coach); and
WHEREAS, for this championship effort, Coach Bond was selected Clarion-Ledger Metro Coach of the Week, Morgan Brister and Maribeth Willoughby were selected Clarion-Ledger Metro Players of the Week and, Emily Sumrall and K.K. Toler were selected Clarion-Ledger Metro Top Performers; and
WHEREAS, every member of the first team was named to the All-Academic Team by the National Association of Fast Pitch Coaches; and
WHEREAS, Jackson Prep earned the title by peaking at the right time, playing great defense and putting together a consistent line-up, and the team roster is as follows: K.K. Toler, Maribeth Willoughby, Morgan Brister, Emily Sumrall, Amanda Lee Griffin, Blair Bailey, Elizabeth Clark Simmons, Mary Stanton Toler, Callie Mounger, Jennifer Roberts, Kelsey Griffin, Haley Stevens, Mary Jordan McDill, Haley Toler, Katie Britton, Merrill Maddox, Ruth Schimmel and Kelli Chandler; and
WHEREAS, individual team performances include Morgan Brister, who became the first Mississippian to be named a high school fast pitch All-American last season, and led Prep in batting average .402 and runs 34, Senior second baseman K.K. Toler, who hit .400 and scored 30 runs, and pitcher Maribeth Willoughby, who, in addition to her brilliant pitching (20-7 record and 1.25 ERA) hit .385 with a team-high 29 RBIs; and
WHEREAS, special team awards include the following: Rookie of the Year---Jennifer Roberts, Most Improved-----Merrill Maddox, Patriot Award----K.K. Toler, Most Valuable Offense----Morgan Brister, Most Valuable Defense---Emily Sumrall, Most Valuable Player----Maribeth Willoughby; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 2003 Jackson Prep "Lady Patriots" Girls Fast Pitch Softball Team and Head Coach Allyn Bond for winning the Mississippi Private School Association's Overall State Championship for the second consecutive year, and wish them continued success in their future scholastic and athletic endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Bond and the Headmaster of Jackson Preparatory School and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.