House Resolution 60

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NATCHEZ HIGH SCHOOL LADY BULLDOGS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH ALPHAKA MOORE FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Natchez High School Lady Bulldogs Girls Basketball Team rallied on March 14, 2014, against South Jones High School to win 54-51 and captured the MHSAA Class 5A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the 54-51 win in the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson gave the Lady Bulldogs their first state championship since 1993; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Alphaka Moore stated, "Everyone talks about winning the championship, but until you actually do it, it's kind of just a dream. Once they handed us the golden ball, it was like wow, this is really happening, we are really here. You don't think it's really happening until it's in your hand."; and

WHEREAS, Zyaire Ewing led the Lady Bulldogs with her most prolific performance of the season, 26 points and 16 rebounds as she was awarded Most Valuable Player of the game, and Coach Moore said Ewing stepped up for her team in crucial moments as the Lady Bulldogs trailed for a majority of the game until it took the game-deciding lead 53-51 with 10.5 seconds left, and Natchez High School Principal Fred Butcher said he prayed throughout the tight game, as neither team ever trailed by more than single digits; and

WHEREAS, the 2013-2014 Lady Bulldogs Girls High School Basketball Team Roster is: Ernesha Chatman, Jasmine Ivory, Anniyah Pannell, Destiny Lyles, Skylar Morgan, Kirdis Clark, Zyaire Ewing, Kiana Jones, Marquita Wallace, Tyrenni Berry, Asia Carradine, Jhanasia Dent, Rashonae Rice, Jadacia Fleming, Ekeria Williams and Taylor Argue; and Head Coach Alphaka Moore; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize such a remarkable 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Natchez High School Lady Bulldogs Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Alphaka Moore for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A State Championship, and extend our best wishes for future athletic and academic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Alphaka Moore, Principal Fred Butcher, the Natchez-Adams Public School District Board and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.