Senate Concurrent Resolution 582

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2022 MANCHESTER ACADEMY "LADY MAVERICKS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH EMILY POE FOR WINNING BACK-TO-BACK MHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, throughout the history of basketball, big-man/little-man dynamic duos have always played a part in telling the story of the sport. Whether it is the NBA's Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant or the WNBA's Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner or Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, history has shown that when a dominant inside/outside tandem gets together, success usually follows. The 2021-2022 Manchester Academy Lady Mavericks will undoubtedly agree after their dynamic duo led them to another championship season following their first championship in 2020-2021. Senior Center Karley Martin and Senior Shooting Guard Lizzy Carpenter guided the Lady Mavericks to a Class 3A State Championship, giving Manchester back-to-back titles. Through 35 games, they boasted a 31-4 record and won game one of the Overall Tournament; and

WHEREAS, Karley Martin has virtually been a walking double-double, patrolling the paint on both ends of the floor all season long. The 5'11 center averaged 13 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. Lizzie Carpenter, a sharp-shooter from deep, averaged 15 points per game, 3 rebounds and 2 steals while shooting 40 percent from a three-point range and 67 percent from the free-throw line. Both players recognized the magnitude of the back-to-back feat they pulled off this year; and

WHEREAS, "I am very proud of the hard work that was put in to achieve this goal, and I feel very blessed to be a part of this team," said Carpenter. "There was no better feeling than winning back-to-back. Last year when we won it, I knew how much it took. I told the girls all year long that we know what it takes to get there. We know what it takes to win, and we expected to win. I had faith in my teammates, and I had faith in my coach because she had prepared us for that moment all year long," added Martin; and

WHEREAS, that winning moment started back in October as the Lady Mavs reeled off 13-straight victories to start the season. It was a Merry Christmas for Manchester fans as the Lady Mavericks resumed their winning ways, taking both of their games in the Benton Winter Games in December (50-31 over Mt. Salus and 37-24 over Newton). Manchester opened the new year going on another winning streak, taking their next six in a row before dropping two of their final three games to Copiah, 56-42 and Winona, 56-43. The Lady Mavs swept through the District Tournament, the North State Tournament and the State Tournament en route to the Overall. Carpenter, Martin and Sydney Porter were all selected to the All-District Team and the All-North State Tournament Team. The trio, along with Presley Trammell, were also named to the All-State Tournament Team; and

WHEREAS, in the 47-45 State Championship Game victory over Tunica, the Lady Mavs had to come from behind. In the Overall Tournament opener, the Lady Mavs also had to fight, scratch and claw their way past Clinton Christian (who they had split with in the regular season) to secure a 60-58 overtime win; and

WHEREAS, Manchester's future definitely looks bright as the Lady Mavs will be seeking an unprecedented three-peat next season.

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this special group of talented 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 the 2022 Manchester Academy "Lady Mavericks" Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Emily Poe for winning back-to-back State Championships, 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 Emily Poe and Manchester Headmaster Bryan Dendy for the team, forwarded to the Manchester Academy Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.