Senate Concurrent Resolution 629

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PROVINE HIGH SCHOOL "RAMS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH LUTHER RILEY FOR WINNING THE TEAM'S FOURTH CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR EXCELLENT 2006-2007 SEASON.

WHEREAS, DeMorris Summers scored 24 points and Provine High School withstood one Forest Hill comeback after another to capture the Class 5A State Championship with a 59-54 victory before an estimated crowd of 4,800 at the Mississippi Coliseum on Saturday, March 10, 2007; and

WHEREAS, it was the Ram's fourth State Title and the third under the 34-year-old Head Coach Luther Riley, who enjoyed a vindication of sorts; and

WHEREAS, there were times this season when Coach Riley questioned if all the pieces would ever fit together for Provine's highly touted boys basketball team. On March 10th, when it mattered most, Riley and his Rams got just the answer they'd been seeking since November; and

WHEREAS, the Rams finished the season 25-9 and ranked No. 7 in The Clarion-Ledger Super 10, played at Tupelo's BancorpSouth Arena in the semifinals of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Grand Slam; and

WHEREAS, Provine, last year's 5A runner-up to Madison Central, earned the trip to the Overall Tournament with a third straight win over a JPS rival in a State Championship game. As in the back-to-back 4A title, victories over Lanier in 2003 and 2004 this all-Jackson matchup was always intense and often frenzied between the familiar rivals; and

WHEREAS, Provine, which lost the regular season matchup with Forest Hill 65-60 in November, led most of the way, going up 16-11 after one quarter and 30-23 at half-time with DeMorris Summers and Junior Guard Scottie Haralson (12 points) leading the way; and

WHEREAS, Class 5A Champion Provine finished 26-10 but 0-2 in the season series between the state's two most prominent programs. The Rams lost to Grand Slam winner Lanier High School in the Overall Tournament, which symbolized the final chapter in this year's great Jackson Public School's rivaling; and

WHEREAS, the following team members received individual honors: (All District) -- Emery Kelly, DeMorris Summers and Scottie Haralson; and (All-State) -- Andre Pitchford, DeMorris Summers and Scottie Harlason; and

WHEREAS, Coach Riley had the following remarks after this excellent season, "Congratulations! Though this year there were times you could have thrown in the towel, but through your dedication, sacrifice and hard work, you are now champions. Good job 2006-2007 Men's Basketball"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special achievements of this squad 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 Provine High School "Rams" Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Luther Riley for winning the team's fourth Class 5A State Championship and for their excellent 2006-2007 season, as they continue to bring excitement to the Capital City through their intense rivalries, and we extend to them the best wishes of the Legislature on their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Luther Riley and Principal Tex Red, be forwarded to the Jackson Municipal School Board and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.