MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) Sparks, Chism, Norwood, Simmons (12th) Senate Concurrent Resolution 540 (As Adopted by Senate) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BOONEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BLUE DEVILS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MICHAEL SMITH FOR WINNING THEIR FOURTH STRAIGHT CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. WHEREAS, complacency often settles in for those who have done a lot of winning, but not for Booneville's boys, and not in a state championship match. The Booneville High School Boys Basketball Blue Devils (29-4) methodically took apart the Coahoma County Panthers on February 28, 2025, at the Mississippi Coliseum, beating them 57-39 in the MHSAA Class 3A State Boys Basketball Championship; WHEREAS, this is Booneville's fourth title in a row and eighth in program history. These teams faced off in last year's 3A Championship Game when Booneville came back to win 46-43 in overtime; and WHEREAS, "These players just continue to work the whole time," Blue Devil Coach Michael Smith said. "It starts with Dalton (Jackson) and Kedrick (Simmons). They're the most humble, hard-working players and they live in that gym. It's incredible to watch and see them go"; and WHEREAS, Simmons made a 3-point play in the first quarter that started a 12-4 run, putting Booneville ahead 19-9 with 7:23 left in the second. Simmons and Jackson each hit a 3 pointer later in the second. Then Jackson found Simmons on an alley-oop to make it 27-15 at halftime. Booneville shot 21 of 42 (50%) from the field and 5 of 11 (45%) from deep. The Blue Devils out-rebounded Coahoma County 33-24, including 26-17 on the offensive boards; and WHEREAS, no Blue Devil shot better than Simmons, who led the team with 21 points and nine rebounds. Simmons' 3-point play got him his first points of the game. Simmons' 21 points came shooting 7 of 12 (58%) from the field. Jackson trailed with 12 and Camryn Hampton had 11. Simmons, who is Class 3A's Mr. Basketball for the second straight year, will continue his basketball career less than three miles from The Big House at Jackson State University; and WHEREAS, Booneville 2024-2025 Basketball Roster: Jekemry Bell, Rhett Smith, Dalton Jackson, Elijah Shumpert, Clarke Smith, Kedrick Simmons, Caden Ruth, Kaiden Geanes, Jacadien Simmons, Isaiah Jackson, Erik Daniel Dukes, Elijah Dukes, Clark Janzen, Jaiden Geanes, Camryn Hampton, Myrion Floyd and Jase Adams; 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 MS: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Booneville High School Blue Devils Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Michael Smith for winning their fourth straight Class 3A State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for continued championships. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Michael Smith for the team, forwarded to Booneville Principal Amy Goers and the Prentiss County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Sparks, Chism, Norwood, Simmons (12th)
# Senate Concurrent Resolution 540
## (As Adopted by Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BOONEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BLUE DEVILS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MICHAEL SMITH FOR WINNING THEIR FOURTH STRAIGHT CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, complacency often settles in for those who have done a lot of winning, but not for Booneville's boys, and not in a state championship match. The Booneville High School Boys Basketball Blue Devils (29-4) methodically took apart the Coahoma County Panthers on February 28, 2025, at the Mississippi Coliseum, beating them 57-39 in the MHSAA Class 3A State Boys Basketball Championship;
WHEREAS, this is Booneville's fourth title in a row and eighth in program history. These teams faced off in last year's 3A Championship Game when Booneville came back to win 46-43 in overtime; and
WHEREAS, "These players just continue to work the whole time," Blue Devil Coach Michael Smith said. "It starts with Dalton (Jackson) and Kedrick (Simmons). They're the most humble, hard-working players and they live in that gym. It's incredible to watch and see them go"; and
WHEREAS, Simmons made a 3-point play in the first quarter that started a 12-4 run, putting Booneville ahead 19-9 with 7:23 left in the second. Simmons and Jackson each hit a 3 pointer later in the second. Then Jackson found Simmons on an alley-oop to make it 27-15 at halftime. Booneville shot 21 of 42 (50%) from the field and 5 of 11 (45%) from deep. The Blue Devils out-rebounded Coahoma County 33-24, including 26-17 on the offensive boards; and
WHEREAS, no Blue Devil shot better than Simmons, who led the team with 21 points and nine rebounds. Simmons' 3-point play got him his first points of the game. Simmons' 21 points came shooting 7 of 12 (58%) from the field. Jackson trailed with 12 and Camryn Hampton had 11. Simmons, who is Class 3A's Mr. Basketball for the second straight year, will continue his basketball career less than three miles from The Big House at Jackson State University; and
WHEREAS, Booneville 2024-2025 Basketball Roster: Jekemry Bell, Rhett Smith, Dalton Jackson, Elijah Shumpert, Clarke Smith, Kedrick Simmons, Caden Ruth, Kaiden Geanes, Jacadien Simmons, Isaiah Jackson, Erik Daniel Dukes, Elijah Dukes, Clark Janzen, Jaiden Geanes, Camryn Hampton, Myrion Floyd and Jase Adams; 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 MS:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Booneville High School Blue Devils Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Michael Smith for winning their fourth straight Class 3A State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for continued championships.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Michael Smith for the team, forwarded to Booneville Principal Amy Goers and the Prentiss County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.