Senate Resolution 76

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BAY SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH STAN JONES FOR WINNING THE 2025 MHSAA CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Bay Springs High School is bringing back a Gold Ball Trophy and happy basketball players from their latest venture to the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, somewhere, somehow, long-time boys basketball Coach Corey Mackey is smiling right along. "This season was dedicated to him," said first-year Bay Springs Boys Basketball Coach Stan Jones about the former mentor of the program who passed away in January 2024; and

WHEREAS, Jadius McCormick scored 19 points to help the Bulldogs hold off Pelahatchie High School on March 1, 2025. The Bulldogs held on to a score of 46-44, to claim the Mississippi High School Activities Association's Class 2A Boys Basketball State Championship at the "Big House"; and

WHEREAS, after leading by nine points at halftime, the second half turned into a nip-and-tuck grinder. "They play defense hard and that's the name of the game," said Coach Jones; and

WHEREAS, Bay Springs (28-5) led by five late in the fourth quarter, but back-to-back baskets by Pelahatchie made the score 45-44 with 45 seconds to play. Bay Springs' Elijah Strickland hit 1-of-2 free throws for the game's final point, and then Bay Springs denied a pair of Pelahatchie offensive possessions in the game's final 28 seconds. McCormick was named the game's most valuable player; and

WHEREAS, the most valuable asset on the Bulldogs' bench was the memory of a man who devoted two decades to the Bulldogs' basketball. "And I wanted to come in and still leave his name on here at Bay Springs, while I'm here coaching. Don't want the guys to forget about him, because he did a lot for the community"; and

WHEREAS, the 2024-2025 Bay Springs Basketball Roster: Robert Bender, Elijah Strickland, Jaxton Moore, Octavious McCormick, Jadius McCormick, Myson Young, Nathan Gavin, Dalyn Pierce, Kayden Walker, Bobby Hamilton, Darien Hosey, Daylan Neal, Tyler Roberts, and Head Coach Stan Jones; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these student athletes who have brought honor to their team, 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 Bay Springs High School Bulldogs Boys Basketball Team and first-year Head Coach Stan Jones for winning the 2025 MHSAA Class 2A 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 Stan Jones for the team, forwarded to Bay Springs High School Principal Dan Brady and the Jasper County Board of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.