House Resolution 188

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING COACH TROY STEWART FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL 2022-2023 SEASON AS HEAD COACH OF THE VICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL MISSY GATORS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND FOR BEING SELECTED AS THE VICKSBURG DAILY NEWS GIRLS' BASKETBALL HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR AND THE CO-RECIPIENT OF THE 2023 VICKSBURG POST BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD.

WHEREAS, Coach Troy Stewart, Head Coach for the Vicksburg High School Missy Gators Basketball Team, has been selected as the Vicksburg Daily News Girls' Basketball Head Coach of the Year and the co-recipient of the 2023 Vicksburg Post Basketball Coach of the Year Award after leading Vicksburg High School girls' basketball team to 21 wins in the 2021-2022 season; and

WHEREAS, the Missy Gators finished with a 25-6 record and won their fourth consecutive Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Region 4-5A Tournament Championship; and

WHEREAS, over the last few years, the Missy Gators have become a brand name in women's basketball by knocking off the majority of their opponents and making a deep run in the playoffs each season, and Coach Stewart, who just finished his fifth season as the head coach, quickly helped Vicksburg become one of the top teams in 5A; and

WHEREAS, under the helm of Coach Stewart, the Missy Gators advanced to the third round of the playoffs after going on a nine game winning streak midway through the season; and

WHEREAS, during the summer, Vicksburg High School participated in out of state tournaments in preparation for the upcoming season, which paid off greatly, and Coach Stewart made many changes before the season which tested the team's athleticism; and

WHEREAS, Coach Stewart's selection for the Girls' Basketball Head Coach of the Year Award by the Vicksburg Daily News is the second time in the last three years he has been selected due to his great leadership style and ability to show progress within his program; and

WHEREAS, not only is Coach Stewart's team remarkable on the court, but they also excel in the classroom, as they were acknowledged as a scholar team for having an above 3.0 GPA; and

WHEREAS, Coach Stewart was assisted by Valencia McFarland and Deatra Cable, who both put in a tremendous amount of work with the team and helped secure the district title, and he was also tremendously supported by his wife and children; and

WHEREAS, since joining Vicksburg High School to lead his alma mater's girls basketball program in 2017, Coach Stewart has tremendously inspired each of his student-athletes to strive to achieve greatness on and off the court, and has continued a legacy of athletic excellence that will surely be remembered for years to come; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize outstanding Mississippi athletic leaders, especially those such as Coach Troy Stewart, whose dedication to his student-athletes brings honor to Vicksburg High School and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend Coach Troy Stewart for his exceptional 2022-2023 season as head coach of the Vicksburg High School Missy Gators Girls Basketball Team and for being selected as the Vicksburg Daily News Girls' Basketball Head Coach of the Year and the co-recipient of the 2023 Vicksburg Post Basketball Coach of the Year Award and extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Troy Stewart and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.