Senate Concurrent Resolution 656

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE FOREST HIGH SCHOOL "BEARCATS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH ROY PINKSTON FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 3A BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AND FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2009-2010 SEASON.

WHEREAS, Datodrick Pinkston drove the length of the court and hit the game-winning layup in the closing seconds to give the Forest High School "Bearcats" Boys Basketball Team a 58-57 win over Kemper County on March 5, 2010, in the Mississippi High School Athletic Association Class 3A Boys State Championship game; and

WHEREAS, Josh Pinkston led Forest (25-7) with 19 points and Datodrick Pinkston had 6, but it was his layup with 16 seconds left that served as the championship winning shot and the final points in a back-and-forth final quarter. There were four lead changes in the final minutes of the game; and

WHEREAS, three years ago, the Forest Bearcats wrote a new chapter in their basketball history with their first State Championship in Class 3A and now, they have written another chapter with a second title. The Bearcats, 22-6, won the 2007 State Title and spent two years in Class 2A before returning to Class 3A. The State Championship berth was made possible with a dominating 81-57 win over Holly Springs. The championship game against Kemper County was a rematch of the Class 3A South State Championship when Kemper County came out on top 60-56; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Roy Pinkston said the whole team has a special chemistry and made up for a slow start early in the season with a strong run down the stretch. "They have really come together during the last part of the season," Pinkston said. "Our secret? Hard work, blood, sweat, tears and more sweat. Our guys don't mind working hard"; and

WHEREAS, the Bearcats' 2009-2010 roster is: Devardrick Carter; Jermey Bogan; Datodrick Pinkston; Defredrick Mitchell; Labriski Rayford; Derrick Scott; Todd Barber; Josh Pinkston; Darnell Hughes; Lavadius Lyles; Jamarcus Gatson and Davante Winfrey; Coach Roy Pinkston and Assistant Coach Kevin Worrell; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we note this achievement by a 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 Forest High School "Bearcats" Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Roy Pinkston for winning the Mississippi High School Athletic Association Class 3A State Championship and for their outstanding 2009-2010 season, and extend our best wishes to the players, coaches, parents and sponsors for future successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Pinkston and Principal Julius T. Moore for the team, forwarded to the Forest Municipal Separate School District Board of Trustees and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.