Senate Concurrent Resolution 636

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NATCHEZ HIGH SCHOOL "LADY BULLDOGS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH ALPHAKA MOORE FOR WINNING THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT MHSAA CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, it was Natchez 74, West Jones 66. Natchez trailed by 18 points in the second quarter and by 12 in the final period. But the second-ranked "Lady Bulldogs" managed to come back both times to repeat as the MHSAA Class 5A Girls Champions on March 13, 2015, at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, "We kept our composure and stayed focused," Natchez Coach Alphaka Moore said; and

WHEREAS, early in the game, the shots would not drop for Natchez as the Lady Bulldogs fell behind 24-6. But they got back into the game with a 19-2 run and trailed by one at the half, 30-29. They found themselves in another big hole 54-42 early in the fourth quarter before the game's Most Valuable Player Skylar Morgan led a rally that netted 32 points in the final period. Morgan scored 13 of her team's first 17 points in the period and drew the Lady Bulldogs even at 59 on a three-pointer with 3-1/2 minutes left. A layup by Zyaire Ewing 28 seconds later gave Natchez the lead, and the Lady Bulldogs managed to pull away as Ernesta Chatman and Kirdis Clark combined for 12 points in the final 2:45; and

WHEREAS, Chatman and Clark scored 19 points each; Morgan had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 4 steals, and Ewing 7 points and 11 rebounds. Natchez (24-1) finished the season with 14 straight wins; and

WHEREAS, the Natchez High School "Lady Bulldogs" Girls Basketball Team Roster is as follows: Ernesha Chatman, Anniyah Pannell, Destiny Lyles, Skylar Morgan, Kirdis Clark, Zyaire Ewing, Laneriyah White, Tyrenni Berry, Asia Carradine, Jhanasia Dent, Rashonae Rice, Jadacia Fleming, Ekeria Williams and Taylor Argue; and Head Coach Alphaka Moore; and

WHEREAS, following the game, after the Lady Bulldogs accepted the Trophy, they posed for photos and greeted enthusiastic fans. The team immediately turned its focus to 2016; and it is with great pride that we recognize a team 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 Natchez High School "Lady Bulldogs" Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Alphaka Moore for winning their second straight MHSAA Class 5A State Championship, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for success in the future.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Alphaka Moore for the team, forwarded to Natchez Principal Dr. Will Smith and the Natchez-Adams Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.