MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Powell, Butler (38th), Dawkins, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Lee (35th), Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE RIPLEY HIGH SCHOOL "LADY TIGERS" BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH KATIE BATES FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR EXCELLENT 2010-2011 SEASON.
WHEREAS, in what can only be described as a dream season, the Ripley High School "Lady Tigers" Basketball Team finished the best way they could as Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Champions; and
WHEREAS, the Lady Tigers got a double-double from Becca Ruckes, who logged 18 points and 13 rebounds, to edge the Choctaw Lady Warriors 57-54 in the Girls' Class 3A State Title Game at the Big House in Jackson before an estimated crowd of 5,000 fans at the Mississippi Coliseum; and
WHEREAS, Shunquest Howell chipped in 14 points and Jayla Chills added 13, including a three-pointer from the top of the key with 2:28 seconds to play in the fourth quarter that gave Ripley a 52-49 lead. Chills' long-range bomb proved to be the game-winner, although Choctaw Central never went away; and
WHEREAS, Ripley's other State Championship in girls hoops came in 2003. The Lady Tigers lost in 2004 and 2010; and
WHEREAS, it was a matter of two good basketball teams playing. Ripley, still stinging from last season's loss in the finals to Belmont, had plenty of fight. "It feels better to be on this side, definitely," Coach Bates said. "We made a goal to be right back here again, to this game. The girls worked really hard, even at times when it looked like we wouldn't make it. They stepped up and got us back here"; and
WHEREAS, the Ripley motto is "Play, Live, Act, Like a Champion." The 2010-2011 Lady Tigers Basketball Roster is as follows: Seniors: Tierra Graham, India Howard, Shunquest Howell and Anna Johnson; Juniors: Latisha Evans, Tosha Graham and Becca Ruckes; Sophomores: Mersades Carter, Jayla Chills, Daisha Colom, and Reashia Prather; Freshmen: Matavia Cox, London Johnson, Meg Lambert and Madison Moore; Head Coach Katie Bates; Managers: Maija White and Jenivya Smith; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this 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 Ripley High School "Lady Tigers" Basketball Team and Head Coach Katie Bates for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class AAA State Championship and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future athletic and academic success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Katie Bates and Ripley Principal Jeff Palmer, forwarded to the Tippah County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.