MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons, Williamson, Dawkins, Walls, Horhn, Turner, Jackson (11th), Jordan, Butler, Hyde-Smith
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE INDIANOLA GENTRY HIGH SCHOOL "LADY RAMS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CHARLES WILLIAMS FOR THEIR PERFECT 2006-2007 SEASON, 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION GRAND SLAM CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, who's the No. 1 girls basketball team in the state? Indianola Gentry High School answered that question Saturday, March 17, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the "Lady Rams" completed a perfect season with a thrilling 63-58 victory over Murrah in a much-anticipated No. 1 vs. No. 2 title game showdown in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Grand Slam; and
WHEREAS, Gentry, ranked No. 2 in The Clarion-Ledger Super 10, finished 40-0 to become the first Mississippi High School Activities Association team (boys or girls) to go unbeaten since the Yazoo County Lady Panthers did it in 1999-2000. In the process, the Class 4A State Champion Lady Rams staked their claim as the undisputed best team in Mississippi by knocking off the 5A Champions, ranked No. 1 in the Super 10 and No. 14 nationally by USA Today; and
WHEREAS, "We felt like we had something to prove," said Gentry Dandy Dozen Senior Sarita Cooper. "All season I felt that we should have been No. 1 the whole time." Cooper and frontcourt mate Veronica Walker -- who helped the school win its first Gold Ball Class 4A Championship on March 10, 2007 -- made sure they delivered the Silver Trophy back to the Delta as well; and
WHEREAS, "It was a great day for us," Head Coach Charles Williams said. "But let's be honest, this is why we came here. To win the tournament. This has been an unbelievable year for us. You have to live it to believe it"; and
WHEREAS, on the road to the Overall State Championship, the Lady Rams won the Coahoma County Tournament, the Ram Holiday Classic Tournament, the NCAC Tournament, the Division 3-4A Tournament, the North State Tournament, and of course the 4A State Tournament and the Mississippi High School Activities Association Grand Slam Championship; and
WHEREAS, the following team members earned special recognition: Sarita Cooper: All-District, All-Conference, All-State; Veronica Walker: All-District, All-Conference, All-State; Laneisha Jennie: All-Conference and All-State; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this landmark season accomplished by a 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 Indianola Gentry High School "Lady Rams" Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Charles Williams for their perfect 2006-2007 season, Class 4A State Championship and MHSAA Grand Slam Overall State Championship, and extend to them the best wishes of the Legislature for continued athletic and academic success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Charles Williams and the Principal of Gentry High School, be forwarded to the School Board of the Indianola School District and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.