House Resolution 49

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM UPON THE TRIUMPHANT OCCASION OF WINNING THE 2016 MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, on February 25, 2016, the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears Mens Basketball Team won the 2016 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges State Championship, hoisting the championship trophy for the first time since the 1962-1963 season; and

WHEREAS, the Bears epitomized exceptional team play throughout the season, finishing the season with an accomplished 17-8 record and earning the number three seed in the South Division playoffs; and

WHEREAS, entering the playoffs the Bears continued to rely on a variety of contributors on the road to the championship and in the first round they defeated Northwest Mississippi Community College 86-80, led by Rodrick Sikes with 27 points; and

WHEREAS, the semifinals found the Bears facing the East Mississippi Community College Lions; the Bears, led by Terrel Miller who scored 20 points and had 13 rebounds, outlasted the Lions 61-51; and

WHEREAS, in the finals the Bears had to contend with their last impediment to immortality, the Jones County Community College Bobcats, who proved their mettle and forced Southwest to overtime before the Bears ultimately rose to the challenge and defeated the Bobcats 94-83, earning them the coveted MACJC State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the Southwest Community College Bears earned this prized distinction over the course of the season that included contributions from many different players, additionally the Bears benefitted from the exceptional leadership of their coaches, Head Coach Thomas Gray, who began this campaign by emphasizing the importance of team play and was supported in their journey by assistant coaches Andy Farrell and Mike DuBose; and

WHEREAS, the players who proved to be the state's best include: Terrel Miller, James Hawthorne, Lafayette Rutledge, LeDerrius Simmons, Chris McIntosh, Joseph Coleman, Guy Johnson, Zach Barnes, Mario Doyle, Sean Smith, Emanuel Thompson, Ben Howze, Bryce Baker and Roderick Sikes; they were aided in their pursuit of glory by student assistants, Gregory Henderson, Flozell Johnson, Donnie Thibodeaux and the Bears athletic trainer Keith Raybon; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of student athletes such as the Southwest Community College Mens Basketball Team who have brought honor 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 Southwest Community College Mens Basketball Team and Head Coach Thomas Gray for completing an outstanding season and upon winning the 2016 Mississippi Association of Junior and Community Colleges State Championship, and extend best wishes to the team and their coaches for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Bears Head Coach Thomas Gray, Southwest Mississippi Community College President Dr. Steve Bishop, Vice President for Student Affairs/Athletic Director Dr. Bill Ashley and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.