House Resolution 156

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING COACH SHERRI COOLEY FOR HER OUTSTANDING COACHING CAREER UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AS HEAD COACH OF THE LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL LADY TORNADOES GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM.

WHEREAS, Laurel High School Lady Tornadoes Girls Basketball Head Coach, Sherri Cooley, has ended her exceptional coaching career on top; and

WHEREAS, Coach Cooley confirmed that the Lady Tornadoes' Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A championship game on March 7, 2026, would be her last game as she is retiring from coaching; and

WHEREAS, recently, Coach Cooley helped lead Laurel to a state title after the Lady Tornadoes beat Holmes County Central High School, 52-26, and although she is in a current battle with breast cancer and had to miss games during the 2025-2026 season, she said she wanted to end her coaching career with one goal, which was at the Mississippi Coliseum; and

WHEREAS, Coach Cooley finishes her exceptional career with three state championships at Laurel (2026, 2024, 2021) over a 25-year coaching career, during which she spent six years with Laurel and never had a losing record, and she also had three title runner-up finishes with South Jones High School and was an assistant when Northeast Jones High School won a title in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Laurel ended the 2025-2026 season on a 20-game win streak with a 32-2 record and outscored its opponents 2,148-981, and they finished as the Clarion Ledger's No. 2 team, had Miss 5A Basketball winner Kayllis Walker and two Dandy Dozen selections with Ms. Kayllis Walker and Gracelyn Carmichael; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend extraordinary individuals, especially those such as Coach Sherri Cooley, whose dedication and perseverance brings honor to Laurel High School, the Laurel community, 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 Head Coach Sherri Cooley for her outstanding coaching career upon the occasion of her retirement and extend best wishes for continued success in her lighter days ahead.

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