Senate Concurrent Resolution 594

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BOONEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL "LADY BLUE DEVILS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MICHAEL SMITH FOR WINNING THE 2022 MHSAA CLASS 3A GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, THEIR THIRD STATE TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

WHEREAS, in 2022, the Hill Country has had an incredible showing at the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Basketball Championships at the Mississippi Coliseum, and the Girls 3A Championship was no exception; and

WHEREAS, the Booneville Blue Devils created separation with a big second quarter and played four quarters of strong defense to hold off Noxubee County 46-30 to claim the MHSAA Girls Class 3A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, it is Booneville's (29-2) third State Title in their school's history and first State Title since 2016; and

WHEREAS, "The game was very emotional, a lot of ups and downs, and the girls fought through it and got it done. Our girls gave them a big punch in the second quarter and again in the fourth quarter," said Booneville Head Coach Michael Smith; and

WHEREAS, Noxubee County held a 10-9 lead in the first quarter, but the second quarter was all Booneville. Noxubee County cut the lead down to 11 points at 28-17 in the early part of the third quarter, as the Lady Tigers went on a 6-1 run. Booneville scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to take a 42-25 lead to seal the game. Coach Smith cleared the bench with more than two minutes to go; and

WHEREAS, the 2021-2022 Lady Blue Devil's Basketball Team Championship Roster: Ava Kate Smith, Josie Dawson, Taitiana Beene, Arlaina Rogers, Chloe Ruth, Emma Cunningham, Hallie Burns, Kylee Johnson, Emsley Murphy, Olivia Garrett, Kaylee Johnson, Avery Wildmon, Myaisha Ogden, Abigail Morgan, Megan Windham, Kymani Smith, Kierra Slack, Jadyn Lindsey; and Head Coach Michael Smith, Assistant Coaches, Kenny Paul Geno, Chip Johnson, Cole Lauderdale, Micah Moment and Bryant Tynes; and

WHEREAS, Coach Michael Smith explained after Booneville's 45-30 win over Franklin County in the MHSAA 3A Semifinal at the Mississippi Coliseum. "We're proud of where we are now compared to where we were a year ago. We've come a long way." Make no mistake, this is the same Booneville program that has played for seven championships in the last 10 years. The championship victory over Noxubee County made eight championships in 11 years; 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 Booneville High School "Lady Blue Devils" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Michael Smith for winning the 2022 MHSAA Class 3A Girls Basketball Championship, their third State Title in school history, 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 Head Coach Michael Smith and Booneville Principle Bo Sandlin, forwarded to the Booneville School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.