Senate Concurrent Resolution 609

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE VELMA JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL "FALCONS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH ANTHONY CARLYLE FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST STATE TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

WHEREAS, Velma Jackson High School "Falcons" (27-8) claimed their first Boys Basketball State Championship on March 8, 2013, rallying in the fourth quarter for a hard-fought 45-44 victory over Booneville in the Class 3A Title Game at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, "We may have exceeded expectations, but for those guys in that locker room this was our goal," said Coach Anthony Carlyle, in his second year coaching at the small school in Northeast Madison County. He had a feeling his team would have to defeat Booneville to win the Championship because it was Booneville that ended Velma Jackson's season last year in the playoffs; and

WHEREAS, the victory gave Coach Carlyle his first State Title. He joins his highly successful father, Archie Carlyle, who has won 7 State Championships. Archie Carlyle made his way from the stands to the Coliseum floor as the clock began ticking toward zero. His first words to his son: "Great job"; and

WHEREAS, Moses Greenwood finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds to earn "Most Valuable Player" honors. Six of his points came on crowd-pleasing dunks. Sophomore Quinndary Weatherspoon scored 11 points, including two 3-pointers. Kendarius Smith scored 8 points and Justin Washington had 7. Kendarius Murry, the lone senior with significant playing time, chipped in 4 points; and

WHEREAS, the 2012-2013 Velma Jackson High School Falcons Boys Basketball Team Roster: Arthur Eldridge, Kendarius Smith, Quinndary Weatherspoon, Justin Washington, Moses Greenwood, Kendarius Murry, James Johnson, Anfernee Brown, Nicholas Rivers and Kennedy Little; Head Coach Anthony Carlyle; Assistant Coach Randy Brown; Athletic Director Cedric Wilder; Managers: Nyderrick Liddell, Nykeem Liddell and Montreal Taylor; and Scorekeeper Earlene Thompson; 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 Velma Jackson High School "Falcons" Boys Basketball Team and Coach Anthony Carlyle for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Championship, their first State Title in school history, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Carlyle and Principal George Jones III for the team, forwarded to the Madison County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.