Senate Concurrent Resolution 593

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BENOIT-RAY BROOKS HIGH SCHOOL "TIGERS" FOR WINNING ITS SECOND CONSECUTIVE CLASS 1A STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AND ITS OUTSTANDING 2OO3-2004 SEASON.

WHEREAS, the Benoit-Ray Brooks High School "Tigers" Basketball Team won its second consecutive Class 1A State Championship on Saturday, March 13, 2004, with a thrilling 54-50 victory over Byers High School, before an estimated crowd of 3,500 at the Mississippi Coliseum; Ray Brooks held its ground after Byers mounted a furious comeback attempt during the final quarter; 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 back-to-back championships to call their own; and

WHEREAS, Ray Brooks High School, which completed this outstanding season with a record of 23-9 is only in its third year of existence; originally, the students in Benoit attended West Bolivar in Rosedale, but these students have a new school to attend and another championship to celebrate as their own; and

WHEREAS, on their way to the State Championship, the Ray Brooks Tigers won 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, Senior Guard James Giles (who was awarded prior to the championship game the coveted and prestigious "Big Dog" Award by the Mississippi National Guard), Junior Guard Jimmie Kimble and Senior Forward Jeffrey Phillips were named to the All-Tournament Team; and

WHEREAS, the 2004 roster of this championship team is as follows: #14 Christopher Brooks, #11 Elliott Davis, #55 Adrian Dillard, #5 James Giles, #32 Lavarus Giles, #20 Corderro Ireland,

#22 Jimmy Kimble, #00 Damien Leslie, #10 David Leslie, #12 Wayne Leslie, #4 Travis McGee, #21 Eric Nelson, #3 Kozialski Nelson, #15 Jeffrey Phillips, Johnny Lewis - Manager, Lorenzo Thomas - Manager, Anthony Rivera - Manager, Teela Rivera - Bookkeeper; and

WHEREAS, according to the players that made it happen, capturing the school's second straight 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Benoit-Ray Brooks High School "Tigers" Basketball Team, Head Coach S.C. Cannon, Principal Barbara C. Akon, Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Hawley and Associate Superintendent Sherry Shepard for their second consecutive State Class 1A Championship and their outstanding 2003-2004 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, Barbara C. Akon, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.