MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Yancey, Kirby, Lee (35th), Butler, Clarke, Davis, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), Montgomery
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE EAST RANKIN ACADEMY "LADY PATRIOTS" BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH MICHAEL MCANALLY FOR THEIR FIRST MAIS OVERALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, thanks to Senior Guard Brooke Rhodes' usual heroics, the East Rankin Academy "Lady Patriots" Basketball Team accomplished their yearlong mission in grand fashion on February 27, 2010. Rhodes scored 35 points, 15 in a torrid second quarter, as East Rankin defeated Pillow Academy 62-44 for its first Academy Overall Tournament Championship before an estimated crowd of 2,500 at A.E. Wood Coliseum; and
WHEREAS, Kaitlyn Coghlan added 14 points for the AAA Champion Lady Patriots (35-2), who won their final 16 games and eased the heartbreak of last year's loss in the Overall semifinals; and
WHEREAS, "It's pretty sweet," said Brooke Rhodes, a Dandy Dozen senior guard and Delta State signee who averaged 32 points in three Overall wins. "Our goal was to be undefeated in February, and we did that"; and
WHEREAS, Rachel Knight grabbed 11 rebounds for East Rankin, which gave Coach McAnally reason to smile at the final buzzer; and
WHEREAS, the roster for the 2009-2010 Champion Lady Patriots is as follows: Courtney Lyle, Lauren Aycock, Bridget Byrd, Mallory Stokes, Brittney Vinzant, Karleigh Keeton, Carlee Westberry, Kaitlyn Busby, Kristen Byrd, Amanda Meeler, Brooke Rhodes, Brianna May, Kaitlyn Coghlan, Rachel Glass, Kaila Knight and Rachel Knight; Head Coach Michael McAnally; Assistant Coach Billy Rhodes; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and salute this first-time championship team which has 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 East Rankin Academy "Lady Patriots" Basketball Team and Coach Michael McAnally for their first Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Overall State Championship and for their outstanding 2009-2010 season, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors and success in their future academic and athletic endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Michael McAnally and Headmaster Robert Gates for the team, forwarded to the East Rankin Academy Board of Trustees and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.