MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Representatives Aguirre, Boyd (19th), Thompson, Turner House Resolution 89 A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2024-2025 TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL LADY WAVE BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MATT JUSTICE UPON WINNING BACK-TO-BACK MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 7A STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. WHEREAS, the Tupelo High School Girls Basketball Team reigned supreme after finishing the 2024-2025 season with an impressive record, and capturing the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 7A State Basketball Championship, their first back-to-back state championships in school history; and WHEREAS, throughout their season, the Lady Wave, who finished the season with a 29-4 record, played with clear eyes, full hearts and unimaginable amounts of fortitude, and during the state championship game, their mental stamina and athletic prowess never wavered from the moment they first hustled onto the court until the final buzzer buzzed, as they outlasted, outplayed and ultimately overpowered their opponent; and WHEREAS, the Class 7A state championship game marked the fourth time Tupelo and Starkville faced each other during the season, which might seem like a challenge to some, coming up with different plays and tactics, but the Lady Wave saw it as a huge advantage; and WHEREAS, during the championship game, the Lady Wave was down nine points at halftime, but they mounted a second-half comeback and defended their Class 7A state title with a 62-57 overtime win over Starkville at Mississippi Coliseum; and WHEREAS, the state championship was a true nail biter that left fans on the edge of their seats until the last second, and Tupelo's biggest deficit came late in the second quarter, when the team trailed 20-7; and WHEREAS, the Lady Wave saw its first lead of the game after a layup by senior Jade Rucker with 2:38 remaining in the third quarter, and a back-and-forth affair followed with multiple lead changes and overtime; and WHEREAS, Jade Rucker, who has signed to play college basketball at Austin Peay, led Tupelo during the championship game with 22 points and 12 rebounds, and behind Rucker, Nadia Norfleet had 14 points for Tupelo and Olivia Smith had 12; and WHEREAS, the Lady Wave has been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Matt Justice, who has broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution, and he continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially that displayed by the Tupelo High School Lady Wave Basketball Team, and it is with great pride that we congratulate this elite group of student-athletes and Head Coach Matt Justice, who have brought honor to their school and to the great State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 2024-2025 Tupelo High School Lady Wave Basketball Team and Head Coach Matt Justice upon winning back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 7A State Basketball Championships, and extend best wishes to the team for continued success in all their future endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Matt Justice and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Aguirre, Boyd (19th), Thompson, Turner
# House Resolution 89
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2024-2025 TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL LADY WAVE BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MATT JUSTICE UPON WINNING BACK-TO-BACK MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 7A STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
WHEREAS, the Tupelo High School Girls Basketball Team reigned supreme after finishing the 2024-2025 season with an impressive record, and capturing the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 7A State Basketball Championship, their first back-to-back state championships in school history; and
WHEREAS, throughout their season, the Lady Wave, who finished the season with a 29-4 record, played with clear eyes, full hearts and unimaginable amounts of fortitude, and during the state championship game, their mental stamina and athletic prowess never wavered from the moment they first hustled onto the court until the final buzzer buzzed, as they outlasted, outplayed and ultimately overpowered their opponent; and
WHEREAS, the Class 7A state championship game marked the fourth time Tupelo and Starkville faced each other during the season, which might seem like a challenge to some, coming up with different plays and tactics, but the Lady Wave saw it as a huge advantage; and
WHEREAS, during the championship game, the Lady Wave was down nine points at halftime, but they mounted a second-half comeback and defended their Class 7A state title with a 62-57 overtime win over Starkville at Mississippi Coliseum; and
WHEREAS, the state championship was a true nail biter that left fans on the edge of their seats until the last second, and Tupelo's biggest deficit came late in the second quarter, when the team trailed 20-7; and
WHEREAS, the Lady Wave saw its first lead of the game after a layup by senior Jade Rucker with 2:38 remaining in the third quarter, and a back-and-forth affair followed with multiple lead changes and overtime; and
WHEREAS, Jade Rucker, who has signed to play college basketball at Austin Peay, led Tupelo during the championship game with 22 points and 12 rebounds, and behind Rucker, Nadia Norfleet had 14 points for Tupelo and Olivia Smith had 12; and
WHEREAS, the Lady Wave has been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Matt Justice, who has broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution, and he continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially that displayed by the Tupelo High School Lady Wave Basketball Team, and it is with great pride that we congratulate this elite group of student-athletes and Head Coach Matt Justice, who have brought honor to their school and to the great State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 2024-2025 Tupelo High School Lady Wave Basketball Team and Head Coach Matt Justice upon winning back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 7A State Basketball Championships, and extend best wishes to the team for continued success in all their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Matt Justice and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.