88R26008 CW-D
By: Price H.R. No. 1943
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The defending champion Gruver High School girls'
basketball team continued its exceptional performance during the
2022-2023 season, once again advancing all the way to the
University Interscholastic League 2A state title game; and
WHEREAS, After closing out the regular season with an 11-game
winning streak and claiming the district crown, the Lady Hounds
carried their momentum into the playoffs, besting Wheeler,
Floydada, Farwell, and New Home High Schools to reach the regional
final; there, with 14 seconds remaining, Gruver made a tip-in off a
missed three-point shot to defeat Panhandle High School 38-36,
punching the team's ticket to the state tournament for the fifth
time in school history; and
WHEREAS, On March 3, Gruver met Hearne High School in the 2A
semifinals at the San Antonio Alamodome; the Lady Hounds scored 18
points off of turnovers and sank 15 free throws to triumph 45-32,
earning a berth in the state final for the third time in the past
four years; in the title contest, the Gruver players gave their all
in a closely contested showdown with Lipan High School; though the
Lady Hounds finished as the 2A runner-up, their season-long
achievements burnished the team's proud tradition of success that
includes state championship victories in both 2020 and 2022; and
WHEREAS, Gruver was paced at state by 2A All-Tournament
selections Allie Sparks and Kimber Whitehead; the Lady Hounds also
received valuable contributions throughout the year from the other
members of the roster: Giselle Miranda, Alexa Quintana, Makenlei
Vasquez, Brenna Butler, Brooklyn Vasquez, Jaylee Lane, Maizie Kelp,
Kinley Callaway, Erin Merkel, and Hannon Lankford; these determined
student-athletes were ably guided by head coach Trent Lankford and
assistant coaches Jill Butler, Valerie Merkel, Steven Livingston,
and Scotty Hintergardt; and
WHEREAS, With their exceptional skill and unwavering
commitment to excellence, the Gruver Lady Hounds have earned a
place among the top high school basketball teams in Texas, and they
are a source of tremendous pride to their classmates and their many
supporters in the local community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Gruver High School girls'
basketball team on advancing to the 2023 UIL 2A state championship
game and extend to the players, coaches, and staff sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Lady Hounds as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.