Senate Concurrent Resolution 614

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE KEMPER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL "WILDCATS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM, COACH KELVIN YOUNG, ASSISTANT COACH DARRYL O. CARTER AND MCDONALD'S ALL-AMERICAN DEVONTA POLLARD FOR WINNING THE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, senior Devonta Pollard led Kemper County High School "Wildcats" Boys Basketball Team to a 75-65 victory over defending State Champs Booneville in the Class 3A State Title Game on March 1, 2012. It was Kemper County High School's first State Title since 1992, two years before the five senior starters were born; and

WHEREAS, Kemper County Dandy Dozen senior Devonta Pollard can check yet another item off his to-do list. Less than a month after being named to the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game, Pollard reached another goal: a State Championship, recording a triple-double in his final high school Game; and

WHEREAS, "Twenty years," said Kemper County Coach Kelvin Young, whose team finished 28-8 after a 5-6 start. "It has been a long time coming. It helped erase the heartache from 2010 when Kemper County lost to Forest in the Championship Game"; and

WHEREAS, the 6'8" Pollard finished the first half with 12 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks, while helping the Wildcats build a 19-10 first-quarter lead. They extended it to 35-19 at the half. Teammate Jonathan Junior scored 10 points in the first half, including back-to-back 3-pointers in the first quarter, and finished with 19 points (four treys) and Nick Giles had 11; and

WHEREAS, the Wildcats Championship 2011-2012 Basketball Roster is: Quajadrin Johnigan, G/W; Jimmy Grace, F/W; Roderick Boyd, F/SF; Johnathan Junior, PG/SG; Steven Jackson, G/F; Nicholaus Giles, C/PG/SG; Joshua McClelland, F/SF; Decory Mason, G/W; Allen Griffin, F/W; Albert Creer; C/PF; Jatorance Johnson, F/W; Daetrell Bell, SF/W; Terrance McDade, C/PF; Anthony Ruffins, F/W; Otis Cross, G/SF; Elijah Pressley, G/W; Devonta Pollard, C/SF/PF; Dimitri Stewart, PG/G; Coach Kelvin Young; and Assistant Coach Darryl O. Carter; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this Championship 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 Kemper County High School "Wildcats" Boys Basketball Team, Coach Kelvin Young, Assistant Coach Darryl O. Carter and McDonald's All-American Devonta Pollard for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Championship, and extend best wishes to the players, coaches, parents and sponsors for future academic and athletic successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Kelvin Young, Assistant Coach Darryl O. Carter and Principal Calvin Melton for the team, forwarded to the Kemper County School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.