MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) Chism, Suber Senate Resolution 89 A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2025 PONTOTOC LADY WARRIORS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH KYLE HEARD FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 5A GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. WHEREAS, following a back-and-forth championship game, with a long, grueling fourth quarter, Pontotoc Coach Lyle Heard felt unsure the game was over, even as the Lady Warriors were celebrating. "During the whole ceremony, I kind of wondered, is the game really over or do we have to do this some more?" Heard said; and WHEREAS, the Pontotoc Girls Basketball Team claimed the MHSAA Class 5A State Championship 41-39 over Canton on February 28, 2025, at the Mississippi Coliseum. It is Pontotoc's first state title since 2021; and WHEREAS, "I think we were nervous," said guard Lyla Cox, who had a team-high 15 points. "But we also knew that we had to get our job done, and we just had to fight to the very end, and I think we did that, and we wanted to win." With the score tied at 30-30 at halftime, Cox knew that she and the senior group had to step up in their final high school game, and Heard gave them a reminder. "He just left it up to the seniors, and he was like, 'This is our final chance. You'll have to fight if y'all want this,'" Cox said; and WHEREAS, Cox who opened the game with three consecutive three-pointers, was named the game MVP. Pontotoc's (28-6) Channing Lane finished second in points with 12; and WHEREAS, Heard turned to his post player, Emarie Boddie, to challenge Canton's Shamira Morton. Boddie ended with 10 points and three rebounds; and WHEREAS, The Pontotoc Lady Warriors Girls Basketball Roster: Kirsten Evans, Jazmine Cueller, Milaysiah Lawrence, Lyla Cox, Markarri Rucker, Channing Lane, Nakiyah Hoskins, Olivia Galloway, Alaina Smith, Erynn Boddie, Emarie Boddie, Mackenzie McDonald, Ka'Niya Moore, Alaysia Berry and Kaylee Good; 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 2025 Pontotoc Lady Warriors Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Kyle Heard for winning the MHSAA Class 5A Girls Basketball Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future championships. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Kyle Heard for the team, forwarded to Pontotoc High School Principal Dr. Dustin Payne and the Pontotoc County Board of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chism, Suber
# Senate Resolution 89
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2025 PONTOTOC LADY WARRIORS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH KYLE HEARD FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 5A GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, following a back-and-forth championship game, with a long, grueling fourth quarter, Pontotoc Coach Lyle Heard felt unsure the game was over, even as the Lady Warriors were celebrating. "During the whole ceremony, I kind of wondered, is the game really over or do we have to do this some more?" Heard said; and
WHEREAS, the Pontotoc Girls Basketball Team claimed the MHSAA Class 5A State Championship 41-39 over Canton on February 28, 2025, at the Mississippi Coliseum. It is Pontotoc's first state title since 2021; and
WHEREAS, "I think we were nervous," said guard Lyla Cox, who had a team-high 15 points. "But we also knew that we had to get our job done, and we just had to fight to the very end, and I think we did that, and we wanted to win." With the score tied at 30-30 at halftime, Cox knew that she and the senior group had to step up in their final high school game, and Heard gave them a reminder. "He just left it up to the seniors, and he was like, 'This is our final chance. You'll have to fight if y'all want this,'" Cox said; and
WHEREAS, Cox who opened the game with three consecutive three-pointers, was named the game MVP. Pontotoc's (28-6) Channing Lane finished second in points with 12; and
WHEREAS, Heard turned to his post player, Emarie Boddie, to challenge Canton's Shamira Morton. Boddie ended with 10 points and three rebounds; and
WHEREAS, The Pontotoc Lady Warriors Girls Basketball Roster:
Kirsten Evans, Jazmine Cueller, Milaysiah Lawrence, Lyla Cox, Markarri Rucker, Channing Lane, Nakiyah Hoskins, Olivia Galloway, Alaina Smith, Erynn Boddie, Emarie Boddie, Mackenzie McDonald, Ka'Niya Moore, Alaysia Berry and Kaylee Good; 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 2025 Pontotoc Lady Warriors Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Kyle Heard for winning the MHSAA Class 5A Girls Basketball Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future championships.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Kyle Heard for the team, forwarded to Pontotoc High School Principal Dr. Dustin Payne and the Pontotoc County Board of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.