House Resolution 64

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE H.W. BYERS LADY LIONS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH JASON THOMPSON UPON WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the dynasty of winning continues for the H.W. Byers Lady Lions Basketball Team upon the sound defeat of favored Scott Central on March 13, 2014, when the Lady Lions once again captured the Class 2A Girls Basketball State Championship with a score of 69-54; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Lions, through perseverance and hard work, claimed their fourth straight gold ball and sixth overall gold ball, and furthermore, the Lady Lions have made eight straight trips to the Mississippi Coliseum for the big dance in which, in addition to this years dynamic win, they have won Class 2A state crowns in 2008 and 2009 and claimed 1A titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013, which speaks volumes of the solidified talent that encompasses this great team; and

WHEREAS, during the championship game, the Lady Lions defeated Scott Central along with the nation's number one high school player, Victoria Vivians, by primarily running a box-and-one defense with either seniors Jequira Thompson or Laniqua Collins guarding Vivans and with other dynamic Lady Lions helping double-team the best basketball player ever in the state when she entered other areas of the court; and

WHEREAS, the box-and-one defense, which was so superbly executed by the Lady Lions, enabled this fearless team that is endowed with talent to clinch a win that will go down in H.W. Byers' history as one that was accomplished by determination as well as self belief in the overall ability of the team; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Lions, who have an impressive season record of 25-8, were led into the championship game by four seniors, Jequira Thompson, Richenda Crutcher, Miracle Duncan and Laniqua Collins and notably, Collins, Thompson and Crutcher have won a championship gold ball every year of their high school careers; and

WHEREAS, two of the senior Lady Lions, Jequira Thompson and Miracle Duncan received additional accolades during the championship game when Thompson earned the Scholar Athlete Award and Duncan was named as the Player of the Game; and

WHEREAS, in addition the leadership of the seniors, other lively team members that compose the Lady Lions and assisted in getting the team to the "Big House," which inevitably led to a 15 point victory over Scott Central, are as follows: Autezia Sellers, Bryonna Campbell, Keoasha Moore, Alayna McClure, Laquincenara Nabors, Jasmine Bryson, Abria Gulledge, Lekeisha Reynolds and Lanchai Collins; and

WHEREAS, during the championship game, stalwarts for the Lady Lions were Gulledge with 20 points, Crutcher with 15 points, Duncan with 13 points and Collins with 12 points, as well as Duncan having 16 rebounds and Collins with nine rebounds and Crutcher with 6 assists; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Lions have developed a winning and cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitude reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches and bring honor to H.W. Byers High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Mississippi House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the youth of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the H.W. Byers Lady Lions Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Jason Thompson upon a remarkable 2013-2014 season and for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 2A State Championship and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to H.W. Byers High School, Head Coach Jason Thompson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.