SLS 17RS-2477 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 158
BY SENATORS CHABERT AND ALLAIN
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the Ellender Memorial High School Lady Patriots
basketball team upon winning the Class 4A state championship.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend the Ellender Memorial High School Lady Patriots basketball team upon
3 winning the Class 4A state championship.
4 WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the citizens of Louisiana have learned that the
5 Ellender Memorial High School Lady Patriots basketball team won the 2016-2017 Class 4A
6 championship for the fifth time in school history; and
7 WHEREAS, the Lady Patriots completed a dream season on March 4, 2017, at the
8 Southeastern Louisiana University Center in Hammond with a 65-49 victory over Salmen
9 High School; and
10 WHEREAS, along the way, the girls compiled a record of twenty-eight wins and
11 only seven losses with a perfect record in district play; and
12 WHEREAS, the Lady Patriots legendary head coach Kenneth Dixon recently
13 returned from a brief retirement to lead the team to its first championship tournament
14 appearance since 2008; and
15 WHEREAS, under Coach Dixon, Ellender's teams have previously claimed state
16 titles in 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2007, as well as finishing as state runner-up in 2001 and
17 2008; and
18 WHEREAS, Coach Dixon was ably assisted by Gus Brown and Kenya Bibbs, and
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SLS 17RS-2477 ORIGINAL
1 supported by Principal Blaise Pellegrin and assistant principals John Campbell and Dina
2 Hutchinson; and
3 WHEREAS, on the court, the team was led by senior captains Nikkia Johnson and
4 VaShawn McKinley;and
5 WHEREAS, with twelve returning letter winners, including Class 4A tournament
6 most valuable player Orieon James, Kira Coleman, Mariah Steward, Keion Lyons, Class 4A
7 All-State Most Outstanding Player Terris McKay, J'Lisha Holly, second team All-District
8 Trastasia Hester, All-State Honorable Mention Marghan Frierson, Tranace Alexander, Carly
9 Anderson, Tanisha Hester, and Mya Steward, the Lady Patriots are poised to ably defend
10 their title next season; and
11 WHEREAS, while these girls excel on the basketball court, they also thrive in the
12 classroom as scholar athletes; and
13 WHEREAS, the members of the Senate wish to recognize each of the coaches,
14 managers, and the extraordinary Lady Patriots team members on their much deserved state
15 championship title that was earned through teamwork, determination, and a commitment to
16 their sport and each other.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
18 does hereby commend and congratulate the players, managers, and coaches of the Ellender
19 Memorial High School Lady Patriots basketball team on an outstanding and memorable
20 season, and upon capturing the Class 4A state championship.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Head
22 Coach Kenneth Dixon.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SR 158 Original 2017 Regular Session Chabert
Commends the Ellender Memorial High School Lady Patriots basketball team upon winning
the Class 4A girls basketball state championship.
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