Senate Concurrent Resolution 637

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WEST TALLAHATCHIE HIGH SCHOOL "CHOCTAWS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH BERNARD BERRYHILL FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR FIRST BASKETBALL TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY AND UNDEFEATED 2015-2016 SEASON.

WHEREAS, West Tallahatchie High School "Choctaws" Boys Basketball Team opened the fourth quarter with an impressive 16-0 run en route to capturing its first basketball State Title in school history with a 52-43 win on Friday, March 11, 2016, against Coahoma AHS in the Class 2A Final at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, the Championship capped a perfect season for the Choctaws (34-0). "It's crazy, but I feel like we are the best in the world," said Marquis Orange, who scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. "We went unbeaten and I know we are the best in Mississippi." In Class 2A, at least, there is now no arguing that. Coahoma AHS (20-11), however, was the better team for the first three quarters. The Tigers, who were led by Cornelius Holly (12 points) and Untareo Johnson (11 points), owned a 36-33 lead at the end of the third quarter. "They were dictating the game," Coach Berryhill said. That completely changed in the final quarter; and

WHEREAS, "I challenged them to stay together and to do what we've done all season because we've been tested before," Coach Berryhill said. "You don't win that many games without passing tests. Some of these players won't get this moment ever again to be called a Champion. It was amazing to see"; and

WHEREAS, West Tallahatchie stopped settling for jumpers and started to take the ball to the basket and eventually pulled away with one basket after another. West Tallahatchie held Coahoma AHS scoreless for the first six minutes of the fourth quarter; and

WHEREAS, the 2016 West Tallahatchie "Choctaws" Boys Basketball Championship Roster is: D'Andre Houston, Malik Bailey, LaCedric Hines, Marquis Orange, Marquis Orange, Jr., Dan Locke IV, Timyus Roebuck, Devunta Houston, Edgar Scott, Tyler Berryhill, Justin Wilson, Frank Johnson, Jarvis O'Bryant, Ken Speight, Milton McGee and Rajes Hodges; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a dream season by a 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 West Tallahatchie High School "Choctaws" Boys Basketball Team and Coach Bernard Berryhill for winning the MHSAA Class 2A State Championship and for their first Basketball Title in school history and undefeated 2015-2016 season, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors on this achievement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Berryhill for the team, West Tallahatchie Principal Christopher Furdge, forwarded to the West Tallahatchie School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.