MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Butler (36th), Blount, Butler, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE RAYMOND HIGH SCHOOL "LADY RANGERS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH SHAY JACKSON FOR WINNING THE STATE OVERALL "GRAND SLAM" CHAMPIONSHIP, FOR WINNING THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR EXCELLENT 2009-2010 SEASON.
WHEREAS, the Dandy Dozen duo of Janairrika Bland and Valencia McFarland combined for 41 points to lead the Raymond High School "Lady Rangers" Girls Basketball Team to a 68-56 victory over Horn Lake High School in the Grand Slam Championship Game at the Mississippi Coliseum on March 13, 2010. Bland, a 6-3 Southern Miss signee, scored 22 points and McFarland, an Ole Miss signee, added 19 points for the Class 4A Champion Lady Rangers who finished 33-1. Kyesha Clark added 15 points for Raymond as it finished the season on a 21-game winning streak after its lone loss to Greenville; and
WHEREAS, the emotions hit Raymond Coach Shay Jackson shortly after her team's win in the Grand Slam Championship Game. Jackson had just coached her Dandy Dozen duo of Valencia McFarland and Janairrika Bland for the very last time. "They are just so special," said Jackson, "it's not just how they play, but the kind of people they are. That's the way they wanted to go out, leaving their mark and our seniors really wanted to leave an exclamation point"; and
WHEREAS, on March 6, 2010, Bland and McFarland scored 21 points each to lead Raymond to a 64-58 victory over New Albany for the Class 4A State Championship at Mississippi Coliseum before an announced crowd of 2,500. It was the second straight title for the Lady Rangers, who won the 3A South Championship last season. McFarland, a 5-foot-5 guard and the reigning Miss Basketball, and Bland had 14 rebounds to help Raymond race out to a 23-10 lead three minutes into the second quarter, and lead late in the third quarter; and
WHEREAS, the Raymond High School "Lady Rangers" Girls Basketball Team roster is: Jaliyah Byrd, Sabria German, Errin Jackson, Jacqueline Richardson, Krystal Robinson, Valencia McFarland, Chelsea Willis, Kanshasa Bradley, Miesha Bell, Kalah Thompson, Ashlee Johnson, Kyesha Clark, Danielle Morton, Breanda Williams, Amissayur Robinson, Calissia Willis, Janairrika Bland, Lesheia Short, Tamera Williams and Tashayna Dupree; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and salute this 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 Raymond High School "Lady Rangers" Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Shay Jackson for winning the State Overall "Grand Slam" Championship, for winning their second consecutive MHSAA Class 4A State Championship and for their excellent 2009-2010 season and extend to the team, coaches and sponsors our best wishes for future athletic and academic success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Shay Jackson and Principal Benjamin G. Torrey, II, for the team, forwarded to the Hinds County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.