Senate Concurrent Resolution 647

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE EAST MARION HIGH SCHOOL "EAGLES" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CALVIN BROWN FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST-EVER MHSAA CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, it took everything they had, but the "Eagles" captured the school's first State Basketball Championship on March 7, 2019, with a 58-53 comeback victory over Okolona; and

WHEREAS, East Marion (27-5) went down 49-41 midway through the fourth quarter before making its run to hoist the Gold Ball as Class 1A State Champions; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Calvin Brown said while holding the Championship Trophy, it caused him to reflect on everything the program went through to get to this point. For the players, it was an experience that was difficult to put into words. The Eagles were bounced in the Quarter Finals last season by Okolona, and the Senior Captain said avenging that loss made winning the Title that much more special; and

WHEREAS, in the fourth quarter, Caleb Rawls, who proved to have ice in his veins the final four minutes of the game, sank a three from the elbow to start the Eagles' late comeback. Following an Okolona free throw, McLin, who was named Most Valuable Player of the Title Game, forced a jump ball to give the Eagles the ball back. The Chieftains, however, cut it down to 54-53 after making three free throws over their next two possessions. Then Caleb Rawls was intentionally fouled and calmly made both shots from the charity stripe with 12.3 seconds remaining that made it 56-53. Okolona opted for a quick two-pointer at the other end but missed, and Caleb Rawls once again sunk two more free throws to put the game on ice; and

WHEREAS, the East Marion faithful deserved it just as much as the team and coaches. "They stuck by our side when we had down years, and they have been there through thick and thin. It's about time. They deserved a Championship," he said. Brown said the Eagles have carried themselves like champions all season, and they earned precisely what they deserved. "It just means that they are special. It's their time and they deserved it"; and

WHEREAS, the East Marion High School "Eagles" Boys Basketball Team Roster is: C.J. Myers, G; Devin Daniels, G; Cameron Walker, G; Vashon Sims, G; Flenard McLin, G; Elijah Alston, PG; Carlos Stubbs, F; Lawrence Lambert, G; Caleb Rawls, F; Jordan Lewis, G; Christopher Johnson, F; Nicholas Beach, C, F; John Rawls, C, F; Evin Beach, F; and Demetrius Watts, F; Coach Calvin Brown; and Assistant Coach Gabriel Ball; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this 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 East Marion High School "Eagles" Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Calvin Brown for winning their first-ever MHSAA Class 1A State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Calvin Brown for the team and East Marion Principal Sherry Prince for the team, forwarded to the Marion County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.