Senate Concurrent Resolution 649

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE "LADY INDIANS" WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH OF THE YEAR NANCI GRAY FOR WINNING THE 2012 MACJC STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR A PERFECT SEASON.

WHEREAS, the Itawamba Community College's "Lady Indians" Basketball Team won the North Division with a perfect 12-0 mark and for the first time in the history of the program went undefeated in the regular season against Mississippi competition (19-0); and

WHEREAS, they won the program's third State Championship with Head Coach Nanci Gray being a part of all three State Titles in the history of the Lady Indians' basketball program as a player (1975) and as a Coach (2008, 2012). Nanci was named the MACJC Coach of the Year after capturing this year's State Title; and

WHEREAS, Itawamba finished runner-up to Meridian at the Region 23 Tournament hosted by Mississippi College. That loss snapped a 21-game winning streak and was the only loss vs. Mississippi foes for the year (24-1) and prevented Itawamba Community College from advancing to the NJCAA National Sweet 16 Tournament in Kansas; and

WHEREAS, ICC finished 26-3 on the year with only two losses against sixth-ranked Shelton State out of Tuscaloosa. The Lady Indians finished 21st in the nation in the Division I poll and there are more than 350 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball programs; and

WHEREAS, Gray, who is in her sixth year as Head Coach of the Lady Indians, has led her team to a 24-2 overall record and a 12-0 record in MACJC play, earning the North Division Championship during the regular season. Her squad also finished undefeated inside the state for the first time in the history of the program. In January, Gray won her 550th career game at ICC before capturing her second MACJC title with a 74-67 win over Copiah-Lincoln Community College; and

WHEREAS, the 2011-2012 Itawamba Community College Women's Basketball Roster is as follows: Shay Bonner, Guard, Starkville, MS; Ty-Nita Baker, Guard, Houston, MS; Ayanna Lynn, Guard, Indianola, MS; Katherine Downing, Guard, Pontotoc, MS; Alex Thompson, Guard/Forward, Amory, MS; Ashley Wiley, Guard, Jackson, MS; Kelci McCormick, Guard, Pittsboro, MS; LaPrecious Naylon, Sophomore, Eutaw, AL; Jameika Hoskins, Guard, Aberdeen, MS; Jemil Jefferson, Guard/Forward, Memphis, TN; Vechatita Bonner, Forward, Waynesboro, MS; Jasmine Hampton, Center, Bruce, MS; Santana Lockridge, Guard, Shannon, MS; Head Coach Nanci Gray; Assistant Coach Robin Porter; Trainer Jeff Dews; Athletic Director Carrie Ball Williamson; Stats Alexis Goree; Managers: Amanda Aldridge, Katie Duncan and Ashley Gilmore; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of college athletes who have brought honor to their college, 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 Itawamba Community College Lady Indians Women's Basketball Team and Coach of the Year Nanci Gray for winning the 2012 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges State Championship and for their perfect regular season, and extend our best wishes to the players, coaches, parents, and sponsors for this special achievement and for future successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Gray and Itawamba Community College President Dr. David Cole, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Itawamba Community College, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.