Senate Concurrent Resolution 643

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE EAST CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE "LADY WARRIORS" WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM UPON ITS OUTSTANDING 2015-2016 SEASON CULMINATING IN WINNING THE MACJC STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the East Central Community College (ECCC) "Lady Warriors" Basketball Team had an exceptional 2015-2016 season, finishing with a 24-3 record under fourth-year Head Coach Crandal Porter; and

WHEREAS, East Central Community College won 19 straight games from December 7, 2015, until March 2, 2016; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Warriors had a 12-0 record on their home court of Brackeen-Wood Physical Education Building in Decatur; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Warriors finished first in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) South Division with a 13-1 record and qualified for the MACJC State Tournament as a No. 1 seed; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Warriors defeated East Mississippi Community College 72-68 in the quarterfinals and Copiah-Lincoln Community College 65-16 in the semifinals of the MACJC State Tournament played on the campus of Itawamba Community College in Fulton; and

WHEREAS, East Central Community College won the 2016 MACJC Women's State Tournament, its first State Championship since the 2003-2004 season, with a 75-63 win over the North No. 1 seed Itawamba Community College in the finals; and

WHEREAS, the East Central Community College "Lady Warriors" Basketball Team Roster is: Shadejha Brown, Richenda Crutcher, Johntá Hughes, Kalybriah Haskin, Alexia McDonald, Courtney Harper, Jelisa Pearson, Shaliyah Wiggins, Latesia Davis, Aniyah Marshall, Samantha Duncan, Bryona Stewart, Miracle Rushing, Shaima Wilson and Laterrica Jefferson; and Head Coach Crandal Porter; Athletic Director, Chris Harris; Trainer, Derrick Jones; and Student Assistants: Tymese Brown, Derrick Charley, Keona Foster, André Lang, Jamylia McLemore, Amber Varr and Rodman Walker; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Warriors entered the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament as the No. 1 seed before falling to Holmes Community College 77-75 in the first round, East Central's first loss in 20 games; and

WHEREAS, East Central Community College was ranked as high as No. 23 in the nation during the regular season; and

WHEREAS, several members of the Lady Warriors received postseason recognition, including: sophomore Samantha Duncan of Oak Grove High School, First Team All-Region 23, All-Region 23 Tournament Team, and First Team All-State; sophomore Alexia McDonald of Petal High School, First Team All-State; sophomore Kalybriah Haskin of Olympian High School in Chula Vista, California, Second Team All-State; sophomore Miracle Rushing of Meridian High School, Second Team All-State; and sophomore Johnta' Hughes of Hattiesburg High School, Honorable Mention All-State; and

WHEREAS, East Central Community College Head Women's Basketball Coach Crandal Porter was named the MACJC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Lady Warriors Basketball Team developed a winning and cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitude on and off the court reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coach and bring honor to East Central Community College, the team members' parents and hometown communities, and the State of Mississippi as they have achieved these accolades the EC Way, "Excellence with Class"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and commend these young 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 East Central Community College Lady Warriors Basketball Team and Head Coach Crandal Porter for their outstanding 2015-2016 season and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future academic and athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the East Central Community College "Lady Warriors" Basketball Team, Head Coach Crandal Porter, President Dr. Billy Stewart, and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.