Senate Concurrent Resolution 647

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BOONEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL "BLUE DEVILS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MICHAEL SMITH FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Keldrick Lesley scored 19 points and Tre Welch and Darius Leach both had 16 as the Booneville High School "Blue Devils" Boys Basketball Team defeated Corinth 60-55 on March 3, 2011, for the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, Booneville (28-7) won its first state title since 1963 by shooting 21 of 36 (58.3%) from the field and out rebounded Corinth 35-28; and

WHEREAS, in front of a rowdy 4,400 blue and red-clad fans, many of whom were two hours early, Booneville erased Corinth's 25-15 lead, cutting it to 29-24 by the half. Within a point in the third, Booneville missed a chance to go ahead and saw Corinth drain a long 3-pointer for a 37-33 lead. After three lead changes opened the fourth, Booneville eased ahead 48-44 but Herman's steal and two points and Eric Richardson's steal and two points tied the game at 48. Two Keldrick Lesley free throws later, Booneville never trailed again. Booneville beat Corinth for the second straight time this season, including the North Finals, after three straight losses; and

WHEREAS, Coach Michael Smith brought all 20 team members on the roster to the postgame press conference. "This was a special opportunity. Our town has been excited, our school has been excited, and the team has handled it so well"; and

WHEREAS, the 2010-2011 "Blue Devils" State Championship Roster is as follows: Seniors: Braxton Crockett and Tre Welch; Juniors: Ethan Brown, Darius Leach, Keldrick Lesley, Shanquille Prather and Jake Presley; Sophomores: Antonio Crump, Kenny Paul Geno, A.J. Grizzard, Hunter Hastings, Jordan Miller, Jazz Prather and Ross Smith; Freshmen: Joseph Carver, Daniel Calvery, John Wesley Copeland, Andrew Lambert, Jack Nichols and Bonner Powell; Head Coach Michael Smith; Assistant Coaches: Brian Windham and Micah Moment; Athletic Director Rick Coggin; Trainer Jock Calamese; Managers: Logan Agnew, Wesley Tye, Keenan Gardner, Tyrec Miller and Josh Presley; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have brought honor to their school, 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 Booneville High School "Blue Devils" Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Michael Smith for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Championship and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future athletic and academic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Smith and Principal Terry King for the team, forwarded to the Prentiss County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.