House Resolution 57

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY LADY COUGARS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH BARRY GRAY FOR WINNING THE MAIS OVERALL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, overall, it was an outstanding performance when the Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars Girls Basketball Team marched through three straight Class AAA opponents and defeated Jackson Academy 54-44 on February 26, 2011, in the Championship Finals of the MAIS Overall Tournament; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Cougars (31-4), a week removed from a loss to Leake Academy in the Class AA State Tournament Finals, redeemed themselves and celebrated a shining moment at midcourt in A.E. Wood Coliseum and it was their first overall crown since 2004 and the second for Brookhaven Academy Coach Barry Gray; and

WHEREAS, they gathered at midcourt and hoisted the gold basketball trophy as they posed for a team picture and placed Callie Cole in the middle while she sat in her wheelchair as Cole (severely injured in an auto accident in September of 2009) had maintained a close connection with the team during the long rehabilitation process and her No. 12 uniform was carried to each game the last two seasons; and

WHEREAS, Coach Gray's girls were able to consistently handle Jackson Academy's aggressive, full-court pressure as they broke the press with their dribbling and passing skills and while senior center, Anna Katelyn Mangold, accounted for 16 points and 9 rebounds in the victory, she was pleased with the triumph because her mother, Michelle Lofton Mangold, had helped the Brookhaven Academy girls win an Overall Title in 1983 under former Head Coach Gene "Moochie" Britt; and

WHEREAS, Brookhaven Academy guard, Terah Winborne, directed the victory with 23 points, making 10 of 11 free throws in the game, sacked two treys, helping the Lady Cougars to become runners-up in the AA State Tournament; and

WHEREAS, Coach Gray promised his team he would dance to a rap song in the dressing room if they won the overall title; he didn't disappoint, and his girls screamed with glee and laughter as the music boomed after the game while Coach Gray smiled with pride as he reviewed his team's triumph saying, "God always has a bigger plan. This win was bigger than a basketball game."; and

WHEREAS, Brookhaven Academy 2010-2011 Varsity Girls Basketball Roster is as follows: 12th Grade: Summer Calhoun, Haley Langston, Anna Lofton, Marian Allen, Mary Lindsey Magee, and Anna Katelyn Mangold; 11th Grade: Terah Winborne and Laura Beth Wright; 10th Grade: Carrie Crozier; and Head Coach Barry Gray; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend such 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Barry Gray for winning the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Overall Tournament Championship and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Barry Gray, Brookhaven Academy Headmaster Herbert Davis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.