Senate Concurrent Resolution 593

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COAHOMA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL "RED PANTHERS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH ISAIAH PETERSON FOR WINNING THE CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the favorite Bible story about David and Goliath was replayed on Friday, March 11, 2005, when tiny Coahoma County High School slew mighty Piney Woods 49-47 to win the Mississippi Class 2A State Championship at the Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, "The Big Red" outscored Piney Woods 21-13 in the fourth period and shot 10 for 10 from the charity strip during the final eight minutes of play in claiming the championship trophy for the first time since the school split from Clarksdale High School in 1965 some 40 years ago; and

WHEREAS, the game ended with Coahoma County on top, much to the delight of four busloads of students and a caravan of cars with fans that streamed straight south from "Casino County"; the court was rushed by the loyal Coahoma County fans, who hugged, danced, whooped and hollered everywhere on the hardwood and nearby stands; and

WHEREAS, this was the second 2A title for Coahoma County Coach Isaiah Peterson, who led Broad Street High School to the championship in 1989, ironically over the same Piney Woods team; Coach Peterson and Assistant Coach Joe Griffin were masterful in the championship game; and

WHEREAS, the Red Panthers finished the championship season 32-5 and won the Delta Valley Conference, the Division 3 Tournament and the North State Regional Tournament on the way to the State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the following players earned the following honors for their outstanding play: Terrance Calvin, Terrance Conner and Ravern Johnson each made the Class 2A Boys All-State Team, the All-North Half Team and the All-District 3 Team, while Marcus Cotton made the All-District and All-North Half Team; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishment 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Coahoma County "Red Panthers" Boys Basketball Team and Coach Isaiah Peterson for their exciting victory to win the Class 2A State Championship and extend to them the best wishes of the Legislature for their future athletic and academic successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Red Panthers Team and Coach Peterson and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.