MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harden, Frazier, Blount
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JIM HILL HIGH SCHOOL "TIGERS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH STAN SPEECH FOR AN EXCITING MHSAA CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, on Saturday, March 3, 2012, the Jim Hill High School "Tigers" Boys Basketball Team, led by Head Coach Stan Speech, claimed the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State Championship in the most breathtaking game of this year's State Tournament, with a 76-74 overtime victory over Tupelo. For Jackson Public School Athletic Director Clint Johnson, this late night championship completed a rare "Gold Ball Trifecta" where the City of Jackson earned three Gold Ball Trophies in eight hours (Callaway Boys 5A, Forest Hill Girls 6A and Jim Hill Boys 6A); and
WHEREAS, Fred Harris, the former Jim Hill Coach who passed away in 2009, had to be smiling down on the Mississippi Coliseum. Jim Hill Dandy Dozen senior guard Fred Thomas, who played for Harris his freshman year, made sure of it. Thomas drained a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left that proved to be the difference in Jim Hill's thrilling 76-74 overtime victory over Tupelo in the Class 6A State Championship Game. "This is the best feeling in the world," said Thomas. "Words cannot explain what I am feeling right now. I wish Coach Harris was here to see this"; and
WHEREAS, it was Jim Hill's first State Title since winning the Magnolia Championship in 1963. "It has been a long time coming," said Jim Hill Coach Stan Speech, who celebrated his 26th birthday Saturday. "We have had a lot of great teams to come through Jim Hill. We have had some ups and downs this year, so I cannot say enough about these young men"; and
WHEREAS, Fred Thomas, a Mississippi State University signee who was named Most Valuable Player, finished with a game-high 24 points. None of his shots were bigger than that last one. "That was the biggest shot of my life," said Thomas; and
WHEREAS, it was one of many huge shots in this game that provided a thrill-a-minute for the estimated Big House crowd of 5,000. Ben Seales scored 17 points for the Tigers and Trishunn White and Terry Morris scored 12 and 11, respectively; and
WHEREAS, "Coach Harris spent 20 years trying to bring that Gold Ball here to Jim Hill and I tried to pick up where he left off," said Coach Speech, an All-State guard in 2004. "All I can say about this win is Coach Harris, Coach Harris, Coach Harris. We dedicate this trophy to Coach Harris"; and
WHEREAS, the 2011-2012 Tigers Basketball Roster is: Jonshae Atkinson, PF/C; Fred Thomas, SG/SF/PF; Bruce Shelby, F; Alonzo Speech, SG/SF; Adrian Williams, PG/SG; Brandon Brown, PG/SG; Abron Carter, SF/SG; Terry Morris, PG/SG/SF; Ben Seales, SF/PF/SG; Antonio Smith, SF/PF; Trishunn White, SF/SG/PG; Dennis McClure, PG/SG; Matthew Griffin, SF/SG; Jamerio Hudson; Isaiah Williams, C; Juston Hill, SF/PG; J.L. Noel, PF; Anfernee Hampton, SF/PF; Likando McCarty, SF/SG/PF; Jashunn Smith; Head Coach: Stan Speech; Assistant Coaches: Lorenzo Bailey, Frankie Spann and Terrence Hill; Managers: Alexis Kelly and Marcus Jones; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this Championship Team whose exciting tournament play has brought honor to their school, brought a banner Hoops Day to the Jackson Public Schools and brought honor 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 Jim Hill High School "Tigers" Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Stan Speech for their exciting Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A Basketball 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 Speech and Principal Bobby D. Brown for the team, forwarded to the Jackson School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.