House Concurrent Resolution 8

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE NEW ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS "LADY BULLDOGS" GOLF TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2023-2024 MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) 4A GIRLS' STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND EARNING THE STATUS AS "BACK-TO-BACK" CHAMPIONS.

WHEREAS, it was an amazing year for the New Albany High School Girls Golf Team as the team completed its 2023-2024 season as Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) 4A State Champions; and

WHEREAS, the 2023-2024 title is the team's 4th championship win, having captured the title in 2016, 2022 and the Spring 2022-2023 golf seasons; and

WHEREAS, even more impressive is the fact that the team has also earned the title of "back-to-back" champions in the same calendar year because the sport of golf was moved from a spring to a fall sport, they are the 2023-2024 champions, and also won the state championship title during the Spring 2022-2023 season; and

WHEREAS, the tenacity and hard work of this team moved them up the competitive scale by moving from Class II to 4A division; and

WHEREAS, leading the season with a 14-2 record, this team was poised to be unstoppable as they entered the state tournament in Vicksburg at Clear Creek Golf Club; and

WHEREAS, on day one, New Albany took a commanding 24 stroke lead and finished the tournament with a 46 stroke victory over Runner-Up Greene County; and

WHEREAS, New Albany was led by 8th grade standout Adeline Bailey who shot a -2 under round on day one and followed up with a day two score of 75 taking the overall individual Gold Medalist honors with a two-day total of 145 with eight birdies over two days; and

WHEREAS, her teammate Lucy King was firing at the flagstick also shooting an 80 and 79 taking the Bronze medal with five birdies during the tournament; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Bulldogs also had two golfers finish in the Top 10, Zoie White with 194 and Katie Dallas with 200, and the fifth roster spot held by Laura Preston Ranager, also found herself in the Top 20; and

WHEREAS, this championship team has been superbly coached by Head Coach Shane Sanderson and Assistant Coach Geoffrey King, who were selected to be part of the first ever MAC North/South HS All-Star Golf Match; and

WHEREAS, Adeline Bailey and Lucy King also represented New Albany in the MAC North/South HS All-Star Golf Match, with the North winning the event 22.5 to 7.5 in a Ryder Cup style event that featured 12 of the best males and 8 females from the North and 12/8 from the South; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to celebrate and honor the hard work and achievements of student-athletes such as the New Albany High School "Lady Bulldogs" Golf Team, whose "back-to-back" championship has propelled them to the pinnacle of high school golf and brought great honor to their school:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the New Albany High School "Lady Bulldogs" Golf Team, for winning the Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) 2023-2024 4A State Championship and earning the status of "back-to-back" champions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Shane Sanderson, Assistant Coach Geoffrey King, the principal of New Albany High School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.