| 1 | | - | MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) McMahan, Bryan Senate Resolution 94 (As Adopted by Senate) A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL LADY WAVE GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MATT JUSTICE FOR THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE MHSAA CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. WHEREAS, on February 27, 2025, the Tupelo High School Lady Wave Girls Basketball Team won its second consecutive Class 7A State Championship, defeating Starkville 62-57 in overtime. Tupelo trailed by as many as 13 points in the game before rallying in the second half to secure the victory; and WHEREAS, in Tupelo's semifinal game against Northwest Rankin, the Lady Wave had trailed early by double digits. This was a similar situation Tupelo was in during the MHSAA Class 7A Championship game, down nine points at halftime. That recent experience led Tupelo to mount a second-half comeback and defend its Class 7A state title with a 62-57 overtime win over Starkville at the Mississippi Coliseum; and WHEREAS, the championship win is Tupelo girls basketball's first back-to-back state championship; and WHEREAS, "It was a dog fight," said Tupelo Senior Jade Rucker, who led Tupelo (29-4) with 22 points and 12 rebounds. "We were down in the first half. We came in and we prepared ourselves for moments like this." Tupelo's biggest deficit came late in the second quarter, when the team trailed 20-7, trailing at halftime 24-15; and WHEREAS, the Class 7A State Championship game marked the fourth time Tupelo and Starkville faced each other this season. "We knew them. They knew us. It was just whether or not we were stopping them from doing what they do best," Coach Justice said. "That is getting in the paint and getting rebounds. In the second half, we just picked up the pace and put pressure on the ball so they weren't able to set up their offense"; and WHEREAS, the 2024-2025 Tupelo Girls Championship Basketball Roster: Cadence Crump, Nadia Norfleet, Destiney Trice, Taylor Pratt, Olivia Smith, Reese Barbles, Kinsley Sparrow, Jade Rucker, Triniti Judon, Bailey Siddell, Kabreyia Garth, Kolbi Sparrow and Sahyya Ragin; Head Coach Matt Justice; and Assistant Coaches CheMya Carouthers and PaShonda Edwards; and WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have brought honor to 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 Tupelo High School Lady Wave Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Matt Justice for their second consecutive MHSAA Class 7A State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Matt Justice for the team, forwarded to Tupelo High School Principal Melissa Thomas and the Tupelo Municipal School Board and made available to the Capitol Press Corps. |
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| 1 | + | MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) McMahan, Bryan Senate Resolution 94 A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL LADY WAVE GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MATT JUSTICE FOR THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE MHSAA CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. WHEREAS, on February 27, 2025, the Tupelo High School Lady Wave Girls Basketball Team won its second consecutive Class 7A State Championship, defeating Starkville 62-57 in overtime. Tupelo trailed by as many as 13 points in the game before rallying in the second half to secure the victory; and WHEREAS, in Tupelo's semifinal game against Northwest Rankin, the Lady Wave had trailed early by double digits. This was a similar situation Tupelo was in during the MHSAA Class 7A Championship game, down nine points at halftime. That recent experience led Tupelo to mount a second-half comeback and defend its Class 7A state title with a 62-57 overtime win over Starkville at the Mississippi Coliseum; and WHEREAS, the championship win is Tupelo girls basketball's first back-to-back state championship; and WHEREAS, "It was a dog fight," said Tupelo Senior Jade Rucker, who led Tupelo (29-4) with 22 points and 12 rebounds. "We were down in the first half. We came in and we prepared ourselves for moments like this." Tupelo's biggest deficit came late in the second quarter, when the team trailed 20-7, trailing at halftime 24-15; and WHEREAS, the Class 7A State Championship game marked the fourth time Tupelo and Starkville faced each other this season. "We knew them. They knew us. It was just whether or not we were stopping them from doing what they do best," Coach Justice said. "That is getting in the paint and getting rebounds. In the second half, we just picked up the pace and put pressure on the ball so they weren't able to set up their offense"; and WHEREAS, the 2024-2025 Tupelo Girls Championship Basketball Roster: Cadence Crump, Nadia Norfleet, Destiney Trice, Taylor Pratt, Olivia Smith, Reese Barbles, Kinsley Sparrow, Jade Rucker, Triniti Judon, Bailey Siddell, Kabreyia Garth, Kolbi Sparrow and Sahyya Ragin; Head Coach Matt Justice; and Assistant Coaches CheMya Carouthers and PaShonda Edwards; and WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have brought honor to 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 Tupelo High School Lady Wave Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Matt Justice for their second consecutive MHSAA Class 7A State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Matt Justice for the team, forwarded to Tupelo High School Principal Melissa Thomas and the Tupelo Municipal School Board and made available to the Capitol Press Corps. |
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