House Resolution 100

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING VETERAN LANIER BASKETBALL COACH THOMAS BILLUPS FOR HIS 8TH STATE TITLE AND THE LANIER HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGS FOR THEIR 3RD CONSECUTIVE CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND GRAND SLAM OVERALL TITLE.

WHEREAS, the No. 1 ranked Lanier High School Bulldogs defeated New Hope 74-69 in a gutsy come-from-behind victory on Friday, March 9, 2007, for their third consecutive Class 4A State Championship before a crowd of 4,200 at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, Coach Thomas Billups' success at Lanier High School may be unmatched in the history of Mississippi high school boys basketball, boasting a career record of 502 victories, a Mississippi High School Activities Association record of eight Boys State Titles and his third consecutive championship win at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, in 16 seasons, Billups has coached in 13 State Finals, nine of which have been consecutive appearances to the "Big House," which by virtue of this third straight Class 4A State Championship, has allowed him to surpass Gulfport's legendary Bert Jenkins for the most MHSAA Boys State Titles with eight; and

WHEREAS, this latest Gold Ball Trophy was earned thanks to an unwavering dedication, a seemingly endless will of determination and the familiar second-half magic of Lanier's The Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen Senior Guard R.L. Horton, who scored 21 of his game-high 31 points in the second half of this championship game; and

WHEREAS, in addition to Horton's standout performance, Terry Church added 20 points and Benjamin George added 16 for the Bulldogs, who have won a state record of 16 State Championships; and

WHEREAS, the greatest tribute to Coach Billups is what his players and former players say about him, the father-figure and nurturing comments that he makes; and

WHEREAS, the fiery Coach Billups will have to find another tactic next year (as if shooting for a 4A four-peat in 2008 wasn't enough) after his team's convincing 59-47 victory over arch rival Provine High School to complete the MHSAA's first Tournament of Champions in 25 years before an announced crowd of 1,599 at the BancorpSouth Arena on Saturday, March 17, 2007; and

WHEREAS, R.L. Horton capped one of the winningest careers in Mississippi high school history with a game-high 25 points as the Bulldogs finished 39-3, eight days after taking home their third consecutive Class 4A State Championship at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, a look at Lanier's year-by-year ranking since Coach Thomas Billups arrived is as follows:

Season Ranking

2006-2007 1st

2005-2006 1st

2004-2005 1st

2003-2004 2nd

2002-2003 2nd

2001-2002 2nd

2000-2001 3rd

1999-2000 4th

1998-1999 1st

1997-1998 NR

1996-1997 1st

1995-1996 1st

1994-1995 15th

1993-1994 4th

1992-1993 1st

1991-1992 14th

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this championship team and the accomplishments of this remarkable Coach who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate veteran Lanier Basketball Coach Thomas Billups for his 8th State Title and the Lanier High School Bulldogs Boys Basketball Team for their third consecutive Class 4A State Championship and for their Mississippi High School Activities Association Grand Slam Overall State Title and extend to them best wishes for their future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Billups and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.