MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Carmichael, Burton, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Frazier, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL "WILDCATS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH RANDY BOLDEN FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR NO. 1 STATE RANKING.
WHEREAS, the Meridian High School "Wildcats" Boys Basketball Team finished the season on a 15-game winning streak, including a 62-47 win over Vicksburg for the Class 6A State Title on March 5, 2011. Only 2 Mississippi teams all season (Vicksburg and Callaway in the regular season) played within single digits of Meridian, currently ranked No. 13 nationally in one of the latest MaxPreps rankings; and
WHEREAS, expectations were sky-high this season for Meridian Boys Basketball Coach Randy Bolden, who returned everyone from a team that lost in the State Championship games last season. As a result, Meridian saw its team at the top of the rankings when The Clarion-Ledger's preseason Super 10 came out in November. After completing their season with the "Gold Ball" trophy - and going perfect against teams from Mississippi - the Meridian Wildcats finished No. 1 in the state and defeated 4 teams in the final Super 10 rankings; and
WHEREAS, Coach Bolden says none of the accolades seemed to faze his team. "These guys were very humble and very competitive," said Bolden, a former standout at Forest Hill who went on to play at Texas Southern. "From the start, right after we lost last year, they got in here and were hitting the weights and doing things in all the areas that needed improvements. That was the difference in winning it all this year"; and
WHEREAS, these Wildcats insist they are closer than mere teammates. That was a sentiment that Star Senior Rodney Hood, who will be playing at Mississippi State University next year, echoed. This team, which features 6 seniors: Hood, Devin Cherry, Sidney Coleman, Sharod Smith and twins Marcus and Matthew Hurn, all have their own strengths and are willing to just play within that ability. Hood and Cherry are the top scorers on the team, as they evidenced against the Gators in the Championship. Hood hit 7 of 14 shots from the floor and all 10 attempts at the free throw line for a game-high of 24. He added 7 rebounds and 3 assists. It was just another day at the office for his star. "He just put us on his back and he's been doing it all year," Coach Bolden said; and
WHEREAS, the Meridian Championship Roster is as follows: Rodney Hood, Jaricus Hubbard, Nick Waters, Devin Cherry, Lakendric Sims, Erole Mesadieu, Marcus Hurn, D'Courtland Christian, Sharod Smith, Daniel Blanks, Matthew Hurn, Jermaine Harris, Johnny Thompson, Antonio Finely and Sidney Coleman; Head Coach Randy Bolden; Assistant Coaches: Gerald Worthy, Joey Wade and Gary Clark; and Manager Derryc Kelly; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this superlative group of 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 Meridian High School "Wildcats" Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Randy Bolden for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A State Championship and for their No. 1 State ranking, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future successes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Bolden and Meridian High School Principal Victor Hubbard for the team, forwarded to the Meridian School Board and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.