House Resolution 80

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE EAST SIDE TROJANS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM UPON WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 3A NORTH HALF CHAMPIONSHIP AND RUNNER-UP TO CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the East Side Trojans Boys Basketball Team, led by a strong group of seniors, finished the 2013-2014 season with an outstanding record of 27 wins and only six losses; and

WHEREAS, the Trojans did very well in tournament play this year, winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Region 3-3A title and the Class 3A North Half Championship by defeating Kemper County High School by a score of 69-48 and led in scoring for the game was Jon Paul Davis with 27 points, Clarence Stewart with 11 points and Perry Henry with 10 points; and

WHEREAS, the Trojans' win over Kemper County in the North Half placed them as the No. 1 seed going into the Class 3A State Championship Tournament, where the team finished runner-up to the state championship title; and

WHEREAS, the 2013-2014 Trojans team is comprised of the following members: Seniors--Perry Henry, Clarence Stewart, Jon Paul Davis, Jalen Thomas, Lamarcus Ferrell and Barron Burns; Juniors--Baronaldric Williams, Cameron Grenell and Charles Jackson; Sophomores--Bobby Jones, Mario Haywood and Kayshaun Jackson; and Freshmen--Ladarius Fields and Marvin Walker; and

WHEREAS, the Trojans have been superbly coached and led by Head Coach Leroy Cotton and Assistant Coach Ladarryl Campbell who have broadened the players' knowledge of the game and enhanced and refined their skills on the court; and

WHEREAS, the Trojans have developed a winning and cooperative spirit and an outstanding degree of sportsmanship, and their activities reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches and bring great honor to East Side High School; and

WHEREAS, prior to Coach Cotton taking the reins as head coach, Trojans teams had made only one appearance in 1995 to the big dance at the Mississippi Coliseum in a bid for the state title since joining the MHSAA in 1972, but upon his selection as the man to lead the Trojans into hard-court battle, the team has since made three statewide tournament appearances in 2009, 2010 and 2014; and

WHEREAS, all of the team members will carry the lessons learned throughout their lives as they compete in athletics and these lessons will enhance their opportunities to be outstanding citizens; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, such as that displayed by the Trojans Boys Basketball Team, and it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes and their coaches, who have brought honor to their school, their community and to their state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the East Side Trojans Boys Basketball Team for winning the 2013-2014 Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A North Half Championship and Runner-up to Class 3A State Championship and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to East Side High School, Head Coach Leroy Cotton, Assistant Coach Ladarryl Campbell and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.