Senate Concurrent Resolution 598

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MARSHALL ACADEMY "PATRIOTS" BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CRAIG DAILEY FOR THEIR HEART-STOPPING OVERTIME VICTORY IN THE MAIS OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND FOR THEIR REGULAR SEASON CLASS A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, as the final second slipped off the clock, Marshall Academy Coach Craig Dailey ran to mid-court, and a few seconds later, he was swarmed by a jubilant circle of players, parents and students after his Marshall Academy squad pulled out a hard-fought, 44-43 victory over Madison-Ridgeland Academy in overtime to claim the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Overall Championship on February 28, 2015, at Mississippi College. "I'll never forget that moment, that celebration," said Dailey after winning his first overall title. "It was a long time coming." Dailey managed to weed his way through the floods of high-fives and handshakes to reach his son, senior guard Dakota Dailey, who led the scoring with 22 points. Coach Dailey described the outstanding performance by his son on the basketball court with these words "Dakota was Dakota"; and

WHEREAS, Marshall Academy (35-5) was down seven points — its largest deficit of the game — with 3 minutes, 43 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Marshall Academy's game plan was to play keep-away with MRA (30-12). Marshall Academy seemingly took two minutes off the clock during each of its offensive possessions, and was 10-of-15 from the free-throw line in overtime; and

WHEREAS, earlier on February 21, in the Class A State Championship Game, Dakota Dailey played at an even higher level. The senior Patriot was unstoppable, scoring 42 points, as Marshall Academy won its fourth State Championship in five seasons, this one a 72-60 win over University Academy of Central Louisiana (Cenla); and

WHEREAS, "To win four out of five and get it done versus mighty Cenla, it was a storybook ending to our run in Class A," Coach Dailey said. The Head Coach also dished out praise to his entire team - calling it all a "total team effort" all season long. In the semifinals, Marshall managed to build a comfortable lead versus Greenville Christian's deliberate attack and won 55-37. The Patriots began the State Tournament with a 64-48 victory over the Veritas School; and

WHEREAS, celebrating their Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class A State Championship are: Manager Grady Brooks, Zach Sorrell, Drayton Potts, Tyler Bolden, Tobe West, Thomas Faulkenbery, Boyce McKinney, Eli Pearson, Manager Bo Martin and Sarah Grace Jackson (film); and Assistant Coach David Robilio, Juston Mask, Christian Compton, Peyton Taylor, Malik Riddle, Jordon Harris, Dakota Dailey, Bookkeeper Bridgett Dailey, Corteze Love, Bus Driver Arthur Love, Manager Wyle McMillen and Head Coach Craig Dailey; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this special 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 SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Marshall Academy "Patriots" Basketball Team and Head Coach Craig Dailey for their heart-stopping overtime victory in the MAIS Overall Championship Game and for their regular season Class A State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Craig Dailey for the Marshall Academy Patriots Basketball Team, forwarded to the Marshall Academy Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.