House Concurrent Resolution 104

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY DELTA DEVILS BASKETBALL TEAM UPON RECEIVING THE REGULAR-SEASON SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE ON FEBRUARY 20, 2012, AND UPON COMPLETING A REMARKABLE SEASON.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils Basketball Team, led by Head Coach Sean Woods, achieved a dominating victory over the Texas Southern University Tigers on Sunday, February 20, 2012, in the 2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament in Itta Bena, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the 2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Basketball Tournament was Mississippi Valley State University's (Valley) opportunity to display their athletic prowess on the court; and

WHEREAS, after relinquishing a lead of 53-48 by going scoreless for over three minutes at the end of the basketball game, Valley needed strong defensive maneuvering to clinch the win, and in the last 26 seconds of the game, the Delta Devils played impressive shutdown defense, setting up a rebound chance for Paul Crosby to seal the victory for Valley; and

WHEREAS, with only six seconds left, Paul Crosby nailed a three-pointer and Valley left the Harrison Complex as victors over Texas Southern; and

WHEREAS, in the Valley victory over Texas Southern the Delta Devils were led by Terrence Joyner with 17 points, Paul Crosby with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, and Kevin Burwell who contributed 10 points to the scoreboard; and

WHEREAS, with the SWAC championship title tucked into their belts, the Delta Devils were holding their heads high with their 15-0 record, continuing in their quest for a perfect season; a feat that has not been accomplished since 1979, when the teams played only 14 regular season games compared to the 18 games played at present; and

WHEREAS, victory was a constant horizon for the Delta Devils, defeating Grambling State University and Jackson State University, still keeping their number one seed to the SWAC Tournament in Garland, Texas, in sight; and

WHEREAS, in an impressive display of athleticism, Valley defeated Jackson State on February 27, 2012, with a final score of 78-69, giving the Delta Devils an unmatched 17-0 record; and

WHEREAS, stunning the crowds at the game against Jackson State, the Delta Devils' first 18 points came from behind the arc of the 3-point line, showcasing the supreme talents of Valley's basketball athletes; and

WHEREAS, after defeating Jackson State, the Delta Devils fell to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions, finishing their season with a remarkable 17-1 overall record; and

WHEREAS, even with their loss to the Golden Lions, the Delta Devils retained possession of the number one seed in the SWAC Tournament, and the Valley men were set to play Jackson State, a team which they defeated by the score of 63-60, advancing the Delta Devils to a rematch with the Golden Lions; and

WHEREAS, the Golden Lions were not willing to give up their shot at the championship title to a team they had previously defeated, but with true Delta Devils courage, Valley emerged victorious over their opponent, defeating the Golden Lions with a final score of 71-64, advancing the Delta Devils yet again, this time to play the Texas Southern Tigers; and

WHEREAS, as the ball game against the Tigers from Texas drew to an end, the golden boys from Itta Bena smiled upon their final score of 71-69, defeating Texas Southern for a shot at the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University in the first round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Mens Basketball Tournament; and

WHEREAS, during the game against the Hilltoppers, the Delta Devils displayed their talents and athleticism before a crowd of onlookers that included President Barack Obama, an avid basketball fan; and

WHEREAS, Valley caught the President's eye while building their big lead in the beginning of the game, but ultimately, the Delta Devils could not close out the game with a win, falling to the Hilltoppers with a close, passion-filled and heartbreaking final score of 59-58; and

WHEREAS, the 2011-2012 Delta Devils roster is comprised of: William Pugh, Roger Hubbard, Jr., Terrence Joyner, Luka Pajkovic, Brent Arrington, Amos Studivant, Cor-J Cox, Blake Ralling, Falando Jones, Kevin Burwell, Paul Crosby and Jason Holmes; and Assistant Coaches Chico Potts and Brian Ellis; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend excellence, such as the athletic abilities displayed by the Delta Devils 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 university, 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 Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils Basketball Team and Head Coach Sean Woods for their impressive victory against the Texas Southern University Tigers in the 2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament on February 20, 2012, for their outstanding and extraordinary overall record of 17-1 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 the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils Basketball Team, Coach Woods, President Donna H. Oliver, Mississippi Valley State University's Director of Athletics, Donald Ray Sims, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.