Senate Concurrent Resolution 624

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY "LADY STATESMEN" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH SANDRA RUSHING FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2005-2006 SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, one year removed from a 15-12 season, Coach Sandra Rushing and the Delta State University "Lady Statesmen" (30-3) saw their Cinderella-season come to a close in the NCAA South Region Women's Basketball Tournament in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The 2006 Gulf South Conference champs lost a heartbreaker 44-40 in the Regional Final to Henderson State University; and

WHEREAS, the game was a story of two halves. Top-seeded Delta State controlled the opening half, while Henderson State dominated the second half. Amber Gean paced the Lady Statesmen with 14 points in her final game for Delta State University. Courtney Wilson added eight points and eight rebounds, while Lawanda Stewart added six points and seven rebounds; and

WHEREAS, in 2005-2006, the Lady Statesmen made one of the biggest turnarounds in all of college basketball. With only 15 wins the previous season, the Lady Statesmen marched to a 30-2 record and on March 5, 2006, claimed the Gulf South Conference Championship with a 64-53 win over Henderson State; and

WHEREAS, DSU would conclude the year ranked seventh in the WBCA/USA Today Top-25 Poll, after six straight weeks in the top 100; and

WHEREAS, Delta State University's Lady Statesmen Head Women's Basketball Coach Sandra Rushing was named the Gulf South Conference West Coach of the Year by a vote of the league coaches for her team's stellar season. The Lady Statesmen also placed two players on the All-GSC Squad. Senior Center Lawanda Stewart made the First Team All-GSC, while Sophomore Guard Jennifer Rushing garnered Second Team All-GSC. Stewart, a 6'1" Senior from Leland, Mississippi, finished the regular season averaging 10.8 points and 6.2 rebounds. She was named the GSC Tournament Most Outstanding Player after leading the Lady Statesmen to the GSC Championship; and

WHEREAS, the Delta State University "Lady Statesmen" 2005-2006 roster is as follows: Wyconda Thomas (11) G; Lawanda Stewart (12) C; Jennifer Rushing (10) G; Sheena Swanigan (10) G; Amber Gean (12) G; Shalonda Williams (11) G; Whiteney Shepard (10) G; Natalie Ellington (11) G; Rebekah Brown (11) F; Ashley Martin (11) G; Casey Broussard (11) F; Courtney Wilson (10) F; and Renita Jones (9) C. The Coaching Staff is as follows: Sandra Rushing, Head Coach; Assistant Coach, Scottie Batts; Graduate Assistant, Tiffany Phillips; Athletic Trainer, Hunter Moore, A.T.C.; and Managers Jana Hayes, Monica Potts and Vickie Williams; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this great group of student athletes who have brought national recognition to their university, 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 Delta State University "Lady Statesmen" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Sandra Rushing for their outstanding 2005-2006 season and for winning the Gulf South Conference 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 Lady Statesmen and the President of Delta State University, be forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.