Senate Concurrent Resolution 624

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE FOREST HIGH SCHOOL "BEARCATS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH ROY PINKSTON FOR WINNING THE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2006-2007 SEASON.

WHEREAS, playing before a sea of red Forest shirts that made the Mississippi Coliseum feel like the Bearcats' home in Durwood Smith Gymnasium, the Forest High School "Bearcats" Boys Basketball Team defeated the Carthage "Tigers" on Thursday, March 15, 2007, to complete their checklist of championships by winning the Class 3A State Title. The Bearcats finished the 2006-2007 campaign with an outstanding record of 32-5; and

WHEREAS, Forest beat a Carthage team which they had already defeated 3 out of 4 times during the regular season and in the Divisional Tournament, but it is very difficult to beat the same team 4 times in the same season. Head Coach Roy Pinkston stated that it indicates the strength of the district to have these two teams playing for the title; and

WHEREAS, the Bearcats won the ECCC Tournament, the Central Mississippi Classic, the Scott County Tournament, the Division 5-3A Tournament and the 3A South State Tournament on the road to their State Championship, which qualified them to participate in the Grand Slam Tournament in Tupelo; and

WHEREAS, Coach Pinkston, who is assisted by Coach Sheldon Thomas, attributed this championship season to the great support of the hometown fans, who travel very well; and

WHEREAS, the following team members achieved individual honors: All-District: Rod Lofton (MVP), Ahmad Summers, Jeffery Crump, Robert Williams, Vicente Parker; All-South State: Jeffery Crump, Rod Lofton, Robert Williams, Ahmad Summers; All-State: Rod Lofton, Lavadius Lyles, Ahmad Summers; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the excellence and the achievements 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 Forest High School "Bearcats" Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Roy Pinkston 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 Pinkston and the Principal of Forest High School, forwarded to the School Board of the Forest Municipal School District and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.