Senate Concurrent Resolution 613

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SOUTH PIKE HIGH SCHOOL "LADY EAGLES" BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MARCUS FLIPPIN FOR WINNING THE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2006-2007 SEASON.

WHEREAS, the South Pike High School "Lady Eagles" Girls Basketball Team defeated Senatobia 66-64 on Thursday, March 8, 2007, before a Mississippi Coliseum crowd of 3,200 to win a thrilling Class 3A State Championship game; and

WHEREAS, South Pike (30-5), ranked No. 5 in Class 3A, couldn't celebrate until a desperation shot by Senatobia's Tywanna Webb fell short, setting off a celebration among the Lady Eagle fans; and

WHEREAS, "We knew it was going to be a tough game," said South Pike Coach Marcus Flippin, in his sixth season. "Their size, especially with their two guards, presented us with a problem and we tried to prepare for it. We're pretty tough, too. We just said let's turn this into a physical battle and see what we can do. We hit some big shots, and that's been the story of this team all year long"; and

WHEREAS, Ivielle Stewart, who moved from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead South Pike. Her biggest trey came with 1:46 remaining and her team trailing 62-61. Junior Guard Kampatrice Slocum added 15 points for the Lady Eagles, who won their first state title since former All-American Janice Felder led the team to three titles, including back-to-back crowns in 1989 and 1990; and

WHEREAS, the win closed a dominant 3A season for the Eagles, who will play March 15-17 in the Grand Slam Tournament in Tupelo. South Pike only lost five games and hadn't lost since the championship game in the district tournament when Franklin County beat them. The Eagles won three straight games in the South State Tournament to take home that championship and only needed two wins to lay claim to the State Championship in Jackson; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishments 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 South Pike High School "Lady Eagles" Basketball Team and Head Coach Marcus Flippin for winning the Class 3A State Championship and for their outstanding 2006-2007 season, and extend to them the best wishes of the Legislature in their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Marcus Flippin and the Principal of South Pike High School, be forwarded to the South Pike School Board and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.