Senate Resolution 59

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY "LADY COUGARS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH RON KESSLER FOR WINNING THE 2023 MAIS 5A GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Brookhaven Academy "Lady Cougars" Basketball Team posed with the 2023 MAIS 5A Girls Basketball Championship Banner after defeating Leake Academy. They are now going for the MAIS Overall Tournament Championship; and

WHEREAS, as the season progressed, and the wins piled up, and the losses became few and far between, there was a feeling among the parents, fans and supporters of the Brookhaven Academy Girls Basketball Team that the squad they were watching was the best in MAIS 5A Basketball; and

WHEREAS, on February 18, 2023, in Greenwood, Brookhaven Academy (39-3) showed that belief was well-founded by beating Leake Academy 42-36 in the MAIS 5A State Tournament Championship Game; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 team that Brookhaven Academy Coach Ron Kessler assembled is one that has grown in confidence throughout the season as the starting lineup of two seniors, one junior, one sophomore and an eighth-grader kept improving; and

WHEREAS, with Pillow Academy's recently refurbished Stribling Gymnasium packed with fans from both Championship-rich programs, nerves were high in the early going of the Championship Game. The "Lady Cougars" had a size advantage, but Leake is a team that rebounds the ball well offensively as the guards on the team chase down long misses before the opposing post players could respond. Not letting Leake get hot from deep and not allowing the pace of the game to slip from its control was one of the main goals for Coach Kessler and his team; and

WHEREAS, with just under 60 seconds left until halftime, Fortenberry got open on the wing when her defender got caught up by Lillie Gates posting up in the paint. With 41 seconds left, the "Lady Cougars" had the game won. Leake got two looks from the three-point line to try and tie, but both shots missed, and Brookhaven Academy made 3-of-4 free throws late to ice the win. For the game, Leake finished 9-of-38 from the three-point line. Brookhaven Academy went 4-of-17 from the three-point line and 12-of-18 from the free-throw line; and

WHEREAS, in the Semifinal Game, Coach Ron Kessler knew the assignment was difficult. He and his "Lady Cougars" had to come into Pillow Academy's newly renovated gym, home of one of the winningest girls basketball programs in Mississippi history, and face a talented and physical team coached by the third-winningest active girls basketball coach in the country. Brookhaven passed the test with a 59-49 victory over Pillow on February 17, 2023, in the MAIS Class 5A State Semifinals in Greenwood; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 Brookhaven Academy "Lady Cougars" Championship Roster is: Reagan Fortenberry, Mallory Martin, Ella Brown, Anne Rylea Thurman, Izzy Nelson, Braelynn Byrd, Ainsley Orr, Ella Smith, Matti Clair Smith, Lillie Gates, Chloe Nelson, Kyla Armistad, Ava Calcote and Emma Gates; Head Coach Ron Kessler and Assistant Coach Hugh Webb; 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Brookhaven Academy "Lady Cougars" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Ron Kessler for winning the 2023 MAIS 5A Girls Basketball 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 Ron Kessler and Brookhaven Academy Headmaster Jason Case, forwarded to the Brookhaven Academy Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.