MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dickerson, Butler (38th), Hyde-Smith, Jackson (32nd), Lee (35th), Montgomery
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WAYNE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL "WAR EAGLES" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH RON NORMAN FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST STATE BASKETBALL TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
WHEREAS, Wayne County High School "War Eagles" Boys Basketball Team, players described as "blue collar, country boys" by Coach Ron Norman, defeated Lanier High School 82-74 to claim the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State Championship on March 5, 2011, at the Mississippi Coliseum before an estimated crowd of 3,000. It was the first boys basketball title in school history for Wayne County, adding to the state titles won in football (3), girls basketball (2) and fast-pitch softball (1); and
WHEREAS, it was the 30th consecutive win for the War Eagles (31-1), ranked No. 3 in The Clarion-Ledger Super 10. Fittingly, it came against a team with eight MHSAA banners hanging in its gym. (Four years ago Coach Norman took his team to Coach Thomas Billups' office to see Lanier's eight Championship Gold Balls); and
WHEREAS, Wayne County, loaded with depth and athleticism, built a 37-22 lead late in the second quarter. The lead was still 15 (57-42) with 1:24 left in the third quarter. Lanier cut it to 57-53 early in the fourth quarter, but Avery Woodson helped the War Eagles stop the Bulldog's momentum by making back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead back up to 63-53; and
WHEREAS, Rayford Worsham, a junior, finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds to earn Most Valuable Player honors; and
WHEREAS, the War Eagles piled on the Mississippi Coliseum floor for the second time in four days after defeating Provine in the semifinals. For Wayne County, the Provine victory was without a doubt the biggest basketball win in school history, a Class 5A semifinal game between Super 10 teams that lived up to all the expectations. Final score: No. 3 Wayne County 60, No. 2 Provine 57. "It was as big as they come," said Wayne County Coach Ron Norman. "5A basketball has been the Coast and Jackson. I'm just so so proud of my kids for persevering"; and
WHEREAS, the Wayne County 2010-2011 High School Basketball Roster is as follows: Lanney McDonald, Gary Myers, Kurt Rankin, Jarvis Chambers, Samuel Howard, Karicus Lewis, Donte Pittman, Rayme Everrett, Anthony Wilson, Svonte Slater, Cordelius Cooley, Alex Lacy, Rayford Worsham, Alphonzo Smith, Dedric Chambers, Avery Woodson, Dedric Davis, Curcon Pope, Sylvester Bonner, Deterris Rogers, Emmranuel Davis, Jermoal McDonald and Mike Henry; Head Coach Ron Norman; Athletic Director Marcus Boyles; and Assistant Athletic Director Gina Skelton; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge this special achievement by 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 SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Wayne County High School "War Eagles" Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Ron Norman for winning their first state basketball title in school history, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future athletic and academic successes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Norman and Supervising Principal B.R. Jones, forwarded to the Wayne County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.