House Concurrent Resolution 88

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE AMANDA ELZY HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM UPON THEIR OUTSTANDING 2011-2012 SEASON AND UPON WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 4A BOYS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

WHEREAS, the Amanda Elzy High School Boys Basketball Team, led by Head Coach Gerald Glass, achieved a dominating victory over the Corinth High School Warriors on Friday, March 3, 2012, in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A championship game at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A championship game was a chance for the Amanda Elzy High School Panthers to display their athletic prowess on the court over the Corinth High School Warriors; and

WHEREAS, after getting off to a slow start, Amanda Elzy alumnus and former Panthers basketball player, Head Coach Gerald Glass, managed to pull his team together for a remarkable display of athleticism; and

WHEREAS, junior Rahkeem Lehaman excited the crowd with a well-played reverse slam dunk on an Alley-Oop pass from half-court from senior Jalen Jones, giving the Panthers a lead of 50-41 with one minute and 47 seconds left in the game; and

WHEREAS, Sophomore Dekarius Prayer hit a layup in heavy traffic with 37 seconds left in the game, pushing the Panthers to a five point lead and giving Jalen Jones the opportunity to drain a pair of free throws with 19 seconds left, and Sophomore Maurice Dunlap scored the final four points in the game to seal the 56-47 victory in the championship game for Amanda Elzy High School; and

WHEREAS, after stunning the crowd at the Mississippi Coliseum, the confetti fell for the first time on the Amanda Elzy High School Boys Basketball Team, after several trips prior to the state championship game, and Head Coach Glass's team brought the golden trophy home to Greenwood; and

WHEREAS, alongside the championship title and trophy, two Panthers etched their name in Amanda Elzy High School athletics history, as Maurice Dunlap was named as tournament MVP and Rahkeem Lehaman, who finished the championship game with 15 points and eight rebounds, was named "Athlete of the Week" by The Clarion-Ledger, and the Panthers finished out their season with an overall record of 27-5; and

WHEREAS, the Panthers have been superbly coached and inspired throughout the season by Head Coach Gerald Glass, who has been ably assisted by Assistant Coach Ted Barrett; and

WHEREAS, the 2011-2012 Panthers roster is comprised of: Reggie Wright, Demetrice McCline, Rahkeem Hunt, Maurice Dunlap, Janarious Middleton, Jalen Jones, Shaquille Smith, Gerald Glass, Jr., Cartez Klines, Tavarius Skinner, Rahkeem Lehaman, Larry Johnson, Jalyn Daniels, Alfonzo Ford, Jr., and Dacarius Prayer; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend excellence, such as the athletic abilities displayed by the Amanda Elzy High School Boys Basketball Team, and it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes and their coaches, who have brought honor to their school, their community and to their state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Amanda Elzy High School Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Gerald Glass for their impressive victory in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A Boys Basketball championship game, and for their outstanding and extraordinary overall record of 27-5, and extend best wishes to the team, coaches and administration on this most auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Glass, Principal Jacqueline Boyd, the Leflore County School District and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.