Senate Concurrent Resolution 603

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE FOREST HILL HIGH SCHOOL "LADY PATRIOTS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH TANGELA BANKS FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, THEIR FIRST STATE TITLE IN 46 YEARS.

WHEREAS, behind a sharp-shooting performance from guard Latoya Collins, Coach Tangela Banks' Forest Hill Lady Patriots Team beat Hattiesburg 62-60 in the Class 6A Girls State Championship Game on March 3, 2012, at the Mississippi Coliseum, delivering the school's first State Title in 46 years; and

WHEREAS, Tangela Banks had been in coaching for only two years when hired to take over a Jackson Public School's basketball program in 2010. "It is wonderful," said Banks, in her second year at the Raymond Road school. "I cannot ask for a better team." Banks is a 35-year-old former Jackson State player from Yazoo City; and

WHEREAS, Collins, who scored 28 points, made 11 of 21 attempts, including three 3-pointers, the last of which swished through the net with 42 seconds left to break a 58-all tie. Still, Forest Hill (29-5), up by as much as 18 in the third quarter, did not have this one secure until Hattiesburg Dandy Dozen star Tiaria Griffin's 3-point try with 5 seconds left bounded off the rim; and

WHEREAS, Forest Hill team members swarmed to the championship trophy, their coach watching from a few feet away; and

WHEREAS, the victory was the second in a Gold Ball Championship Trifecta for the Jackson Public Schools, where Athletic Director Clint Johnson saw a banner Hoops Day for the Jackson School District (Callaway Class 5A Boys, Forest Hill 6A Girls, Jim Hill Class 6A Boys); and

WHEREAS, the 2011-2012 Lady Patriots Girls Basketball Team Roster is as follows: Jessica Samuel, G; Alexa Dean, F; Claresa Banks, G; Alexis Collins, G; Briana Clincy, G; Latoya Collins, G; Debony Wilson, F; Vanessa Bridges, G; Adriana James, G/F; Anissa Jackson, G; Krystal Baker, F; Celica Vaughs, G/F; Essence Pulliam, F; and Coach Tangela Banks; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize 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 Forest Hill High School "Lady Patriots" Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Tangela Banks for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A State Championship, the school's first State Title in 46 years, 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 Banks and Principal Dr. Debra Mays Jackson for the team, forwarded to the Jackson School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.