Senate Concurrent Resolution 597

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE STARKVILLE ACADEMY "LADY VOLS" BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH GLENN SCHMIDT FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST-EVER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Tiffany Huddleston scored eight straight points during a fiery fourth-quarter run, and the Starkville Academy "Lady Volunteers" Girls Basketball Team defeated Madison-Ridgeland Academy 50-39 on March 3, 2012, at A.E. Wood Coliseum to win the school's first Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Overall State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the victory capped quite a season for a team that entered the playoffs ranked No. 4 in Class AAA. Starkville Academy (38-5) won the program's first AAA Title, also over MRA (33-8) and now owns the most precious academy trophy, the Overall Tournament Gold Ball, which sits on a thick wood frame. "It weighs a lot, but it's great. It's wonderful," said Sallie Kate Richardson, shortly after carrying around the winner's prize. Richardson scored 12 points, had eight rebounds and six assists. Tiffany Huddleston finished with 12 points, none higher than her eight straight in the fourth quarter, which came during Starkville's game-ending 14-3 run, a spurt that began with 5:11 left and the Lady Vols down 37-36; and

WHEREAS, Tiffany Huddleston began the season as a starter, and ended the season by coming off the bench to score the most impactful string of points in Starkville Academy basketball history; and

WHEREAS, Starkville has ended four of its five games on wild game-ending runs - 22-6, 26-4 and 24-2. "Late in the third quarter, we decided that we are not going to lose this," said Starkville Coach Glenn Schmidt; and

WHEREAS, the 2011-2012 Lady Vols Basketball Team Roster is: Anna Lea Little, Guard; Peyton Scrivner, Forward; Brittany Jacks, Guard; Maridee Higginbotham, Guard; Julianne Jackson, Forward (Senator Gary Jackson's niece); April Burney, Guard; Lauren Temple, Center; Tiffany Huddleston, Guard; Anna Prestridge, Guard; Sallie Kate Richardson, Center; Shelby Marsh, Forward; Nora Kathryn Carroll, Guard; and Lauren Atwell, Guard; Head Coach Glenn Schmidt; Assistant Coach Kayla Mosley; Stats, Brooke Pogue; and Managers, Hannah Huddleston and Taylor Campbell; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishments of this 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 Starkville Academy "Lady Vols" Basketball Team and Head Coach Glenn Schmidt for winning the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools AAA State Championship and the Overall Tournament Championship, their first-ever State Title, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future academic and athletic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Schmidt and Headmaster John "Doc" Stephens for the team, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Starkville Academy, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.