Senate Resolution 48

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE OLIVE BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL "CONQUISTADORS" (QUISTORS) BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH ERIC ROMBAUGH FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, at the Class 6A Boys State Championship Tournament on March 2, 2024, Coach Eric Rombaugh challenged his players at halftime to get tough physically and mentally, and the result was the Olive Branch "Conquistadors" (Quistors) sneaking past Ridgeland for a 59-56 victory in the MHSAA Class 6A State Championship Game; and

WHEREAS, it is Olive Branch's second State Championship after winning it for the first time in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Olive Branch (27-4) outscored Ridgeland (16-9) in the fourth quarter. The "Titans" (24-10), who snapped Pascagoula's 28-game winning streak in the semifinals, led throughout the second half until Olive Branch senior guard Caleb Hunt connected on a 3-pointer. A key for Olive Branch was Jerry Wall III, who guarded Wilson for the majority of the game and bottled him up late; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Wall, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior, was the game's MVP, with 12 points and six rebounds. Zahir Gutierrez, who also drained a game-winning buzzer-beater versus Terry in the semifinals, made three free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the win. Ridgeland junior Phil Nelson led all scorers with 19 points. Wilson finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, one block and one steal in 27 minutes. Olive Branch outrebounded Ridgeland 27-19; and

WHEREAS, the 2023-24 Olive Branch High School "Conquistadors" Boys Basketball Team Championship roster is: Javion Stephen, Kelton Brown, Jerry Wall III, Zahir Gutierrez, Caleb Hunt, King George, Antonio Batteast, James King III, Reece Garrison, Jadyn Jefferson, Emery Shannon, Gabriel Banks, Taiveon Mitchell, James Hill, Jaiden Brunson, Josiah Blackwell, Jaylen Shields and Tommy Callicut; and Head Coach Eric Rombaugh; 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 Olive Branch High School "Conquistadors" (Quistors) Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Eric Rombaugh for winning the MHSAA Class 6A State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Olive Branch Head Coach Eric Rombaugh and Olive Branch Principal Jacob Stripling for the team, forwarded to the DeSoto County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.