Senate Concurrent Resolution 589

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL TROJANS BASEBALL TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2003 SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE CLASS 4A NORTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE OVERALL CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the New Hope High School Trojans Baseball Team finished the 2003 season with an outstanding record of 34 wins and only four losses; and

WHEREAS, the Trojans were unmatched in District play, continuing their winning streak of 14 consecutive District Titles, with an impressive record of 11 district wins and 1 loss; and

WHEREAS, the Trojans finished the season ranked No. 1 in the State of Mississippi by The Clarion Ledger and ranked No. 7 by USA Today in the nation, breaking the previous school record set in 1997 by batting .355 as a team; and

WHEREAS, many individual honors have been bestowed upon various team members in recognition of their fine, dedicated play this season, including the naming of Hunter Abrams, Brian Barksdale, Chas Brown, Justin Carter, Brantly Clay, Brandon Dill, Justin Faulkner, Tyler Hunter, Nathan Mordecai and Robert Tucker to the All-Area Team; the naming of Hunter Abrams, Chas Brown, Brantly Clay, Brandon Dill, Justin Faulkner, Tyler Hunter, Nathan Mordecai and Robert Tucker to the All-District Team; the selection of Justin Carter, Nathan Mordecai and Robert Tucker to the All-State Team; the naming of Tyler Hunter to the Crossroads Diamond Club All-Star Game; and the naming of Justin Carter as Commercial Dispatch Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the Trojans have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Stacy Hester and Assistant Coaches Chris Chism, Brad Haines, Steve Hancock and Alan Leonard, who have broadened the Trojans' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, Coach Hester has brought additional honor to himself and to New Hope High School by being selected as Area Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the 2003 New Hope Baseball roster is as follows: Michael Bentley (OF), Jeff Manning (OF - P), Mickey Allen (2B), Joe Nickels (P - 1B), Thad Cole (IF - OF), Russ Boyd (C - P - 1B), Clark Walker (OF - 2B), Ben Ellis (P - 1B), Hunter Abrams

(SS - P), Zach Moore (3B - P), Brian Barksdale (OF), Garrett Harris (P - OF), JD Fondren (2B - OF), John Mooney (OF), Jared Garrett (SS - P), Boomer Brown (1B - C), Brent Hallmark (SS - OF), Bryan Bogue (OF - C), Donta Jones (OF - 2B), Ben Pierce (3B), Brandon Bearden (SS - P), Jacob Stapp (P - 1B), Brantly Clay (OF), Dominic Hughes (OF), Rainer Hagewood (OF), Peyton Ellington

(1B - DH), Colby Brister (DH), Billy Beard (1B - P), Key Pitman (1B - 3B), Cameron Parker (OF), Andy Halford (1B), Derek Heberling (2B), Adam Lollar (P), Josh Newell (2B), Caleb Ferguson (P - 3B), Ben Fleming (P - SS), Brian Lewis (Manager), Brad Cooper (Manager) and Justin Jones (Manager); and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the achievement of this group of young men whose winning and cooperative spirit and sportsmanship reflect great honor upon the individual players, their coaches, to New Hope High School 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 commend and congratulate the New Hope High School Trojans Baseball Team and their coaches, Head Coach Stacy Hester and Assistant Coaches Chris Chism, Brad Haines, Steve Hancock and Alan Leonard, for their outstanding 2003 season, for winning the Class 4A North State Championship and Overall Class 4A State Championship, and wish them continued success in their future athletic and scholastic endeavors.

BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to New Hope High School Head Coach Stacy Hesterand furnished to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.