MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Witherspoon, Dearing, Barnett, Jackson (32nd), McDaniel, McMahan, Seymour, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE "BEARS" BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH THOMAS GRAY FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 53 YEARS AND RECOGNIZING FRESHMAN GUARD RODRICK SIKES AS MACJC "PLAYER OF THE WEEK."
WHEREAS, a 53-year drought ended on February 25, 2016, in Fulton, Mississippi, when the Southwest Mississippi Community College "Bears" Basketball Team won the MACJC Men's Basketball State Championship with a thrilling 94-83 overtime win over the Jones County Bobcats. This was the Bears' first State Title since the 1962-1963 team won it all under the direction of the late Horace Holmes. The win moved the Bears to 17-8 on the season; and
WHEREAS, MACJC Player of the Week Rodrick Sikes made a pair of free throws to give the Bears a 75-71 advantage with 1:50 on the clock, but back-to-back baskets knotted the game at 75-75 with 0:58 left. In overtime, the Bobcats' layup cut the Bears' lead to 81-78 who scored seven straight and took an 88-78 lead on a pair of Sikes' free throws. Johnson and Sikes then combined to hit three of four free throws for the Bears to extend their lead to 91-80 with 0:36 left; and
WHEREAS, "What else can I say about tonight?" a jubilant Head Coach Thomas Gray said. "This was an unbelievable experience that as a Coach I was extremely blessed to be a part of. I could not be happier for a group of guys as I am this group. It's amazing how different guys have stepped up at different times throughout the games, and I think that kind of balance and awareness are what makes teams great." Giving credit to his Assistant Coaches, Gray said, "I am privileged to work alongside two of the best Coaches you can find in Andy Farrell and Mike DuBose"; and
WHEREAS, for his performance in the Bears' run to the MACJC State Championship freshman guard Rodrick Sikes was named the MACJC men's basketball Player of the Week. In the Bears' tournament opener against Northwest, Sikes (6'1", 170 pounds - Ocean Springs - St. Martin High School) played 32 minutes. He was 9-13 from the field and 9-12 from the free-throw line and finished the game with 27 points. In the Championship Game, a 94-83 overtime win over Jones County, Sikes again played 32 minutes. He was 6-9 from the field and 17-22 from the free-throw line for a total of 31 points. He also recorded six rebounds and four assists. Sikes is the third member of the Bears' squad to receive the League's Player of the Week Award during the 2015-2016 season. Teammates Lafayette Rutledge and Terrell Miller also captured the honor. Sikes will now automatically be nominated for the National Player of the Week Award; and
WHEREAS, the 2015-2016 Southwest Mississippi Community College "Bears" Basketball Team Roster is: Terrell Miller, James Hawthorne, Lafayette Rutledge, LeDerrius Simmons, Chris McIntosh, Joseph Coleman, Guy Johnson, Mario Doyle, Sean Smith, Emanuel Thompson, Ben Howze, Bryce Baker and Rodrick Sikes; Head Coach, Thomas Gray; Andy Farrell, Assistant Coach; and Michael DuBose, Volunteer Assistant; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a group of student athletes who have brought honor to their college, 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 Southwest Mississippi Community College "Bears" Basketball Team and Head Coach Thomas Gray for winning their first State Championship in 53 years and recognizing freshman guard Rodrick Sikes as MACJC "Player of the Week," and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to the players, coaches, administration, fans, families and sponsors for this achievement and for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Gray and Rodrick Sikes for the team, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Southwest Mississippi Community College, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.