House Resolution 16

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL "LADY TORNADOES" SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL TEAM AND COACH AUSTIN MCNAIR FOR WINNING THE 2014 MHSAA CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Philadelphia High School "Lady Tornadoes" Slow-pitch Softball Team defeated Nettleton 13-6 on Saturday, October 25, 2014, to win the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Championship, taking the series 2-1; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Tornadoes dropped the first game to Nettleton with a score of 6-5, but the Lady Tornadoes came close and were gaining momentum towards the end of the game; and

WHEREAS, in the second game of the series, the Lady Tornadoes were able to take the lead and hold on to it the rest of the way for the 8-7 win; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Tornadoes' strong work ethic and discipline led them to a 28-6 season, and their version of grind-it-out softball based on good defense and pitching allowed them to tough out the losses and fight back to ultimately win the state championship; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Tornadoes' road to the title game was not an easy one, having to face Choctaw Central in the playoffs, a team which had beaten them twice during the regular season, and although the Lady Tornadoes dropped the first game against them, they found their groove, started hitting, and convincingly won the last two games in that series; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Tornadoes have fielded very competitive teams the past three years, barely missing the playoffs each year, and with all but two seniors returning next year, the Lady Tornadoes will be a formidable team for years to come; and

WHEREAS, the 2014 Lady Tornadoes roster is: TK Cole, Nia Luckett, T'kambry Jordan, Kamyrn Moore, Allyson Davis, Precious Sanders, Kenyatta Moore, Shania Moore, Shakaya Boggan, Jordan Gray, Isabella Fulton, Kambresha Griffin, Alyssa Davis, Kayka Griffin, Sydney Battle, Jada White, Dai'Nara Houston, Autumn Davis and Marsha Hunt; Head Coach Austin McNair; Assistant Coaches Jordan Flake and Cody Freeman; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend and congratulate outstanding student athletes such as the Lady Tornadoes who have brought pride 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 Philadelphia High School "Lady Tornadoes" Slow-pitch Softball Team and Coach Austin McNair for winning the MHSAA Class 3A State Championship, and extend best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors in their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be furnished to Coach Austin McNair, Philadelphia High School Principal Jason B. Gentry and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.