Senate Concurrent Resolution 631

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SIMPSON COUNTY ACADEMY "COUGARS" HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH JAMES CRAIN FOR WINNING THE 2013-2014 MAIS CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Simpson Academy "Cougars" High School Boys Basketball Team captured the MAIS State Class AA Championship by winning three games at Winona Christian School; and

WHEREAS, this was the third Championship in three weeks for the Cougars. Simpson claimed the District Tournament Title and the South State Championship in three consecutive weeks. The Class AA State Championship is only the second in the school's 44-year history; and

WHEREAS, Simpson opened the tournament against River Oaks School. The Cougars dominated the game from start to finish. Brookhaven Academy would be the Cougars' opponent in the semifinals. Simpson held a 25 to 16 advantage at halftime. In the finals Simpson Academy faced a familiar foe in the Hartfield Hawks. This would be the fourth meeting between the two schools. The game was played in front of a packed house and was a defensive struggle all night. As they had done in the previous two State Tournament Games, Simpson Academy would pull away in the fourth quarter. The final score was Simpson Academy 47 and Hartfield Academy 29. Jake Brown led the Cougars with 14 points, followed by Daniel Taylor with 10; and

WHEREAS, four Simpson County Academy players were named to the All-State Tournament Team: Jake Brown, Austin Douglas, Mason Herrin and Daniel Taylor; and

WHEREAS, Simpson Coach James Crain has now won six State Championships during his career. Simpson Academy becomes the third school he has guided to a State Title. Coach Crain now has a record of 108 wins and 35 losses at Simpson Academy; and

WHEREAS, the 2013-2014 Simpson County Academy "Cougar" High School Boys Basketball Team Roster is: Cade Caughman, Peyton Sullivan, Kolby Burton, Jacob Berry, Denver Jones, Mason Herrin, Isaiah Adkins, Jake Brown, Ryan McElroy, Ashton Moody, Daniel Taylor, Sam McWilliams, Nicholas Broadhead, Hayden Berry, and Austin Douglas; Head Coach James Crain; Assistant Coach Josh Hankins; Managers, Quinn Caughman, Maddie Moody and Jaden Wedgeworth; Statisticians Natalie Howell and Bradley Munn; Scorekeeper Kasey McWilliams; Athletic Director Winston Mullins; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these 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 Simpson County Academy "Cougars" High School Boys Basketball Team and Coach James Crain for winning the 2013-2014 MAIS Class AA State Championship and extend our best wishes for future academic and athletic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach James Crain and Headmaster Billy Wayne Hankins, forwarded to the Board of Trustees for Simpson Academy and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.