88R15280 JRI-D
By: Tepper H.R. No. 490
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The boys' basketball team of Trinity Christian
School in Lubbock reached the pinnacle of success by winning the
2023 Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools 4A state
championship on February 25 at Robinson High School; and
WHEREAS, During the regular season, Trinity Christian lost
just one game on its league schedule to claim the district title;
following an opening round bye, the Runnin' Lions advanced through
the playoffs with decisive victories over Dallas Christian School
and Covenant Christian Academy to reach the state tournament for
the third straight season; the team then dispatched McKinney
Christian Academy 77-61 to punch its ticket to the state
championship contest; and
WHEREAS, Matching up against St. Thomas' Episcopal School,
the Runnin' Lions found themselves in a thrilling battle for the
state crown; down 18-17 in the second quarter, the team exploded for
13 unanswered points, but St. Thomas' rallied and the score
remained close early in the second half; the Runnin' Lions cranked
up the defensive pressure in the last quarter and held their
opponent scoreless until the final two minutes of the game; clutch
free throw shooting at the end sealed the 69-61 triumph; finishing
with an outstanding record of 29 wins and 7 losses, the team cut
down the nets in celebration of the school's third state
championship and first since 2017; and
WHEREAS, Kieran Elliott registered a game-high 26 points
while hauling down 12 rebounds and was joined on the all-tournament
team by Marcus Ramon-Edwards and Jack Robinson; the trio, as well as
district Newcomer of the Year Brady Watson, were selected to the
All-District First Team; Dax Trout earned Second Team All-District
honors, and Eli Reeves and Keller Partain garnered honorable
mention accolades; the Runnin' Lions also received valuable
contributions throughout the season from the other members of the
roster: Jake Nicholson, Benjamin Bruce, Mason Roberson, and Sawyer
Delgado; the team was ably guided by head coach Spencer Sutton and
his staff; and
WHEREAS, Winning a state championship represents the
culmination of countless hours of hard work and an unwavering
commitment to excellence, and the Trinity Christian Runnin' Lions
are a source of great pride to their school and their many
supporters in the Lubbock community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Trinity Christian School boys'
basketball team on winning the 2023 TAPPS 4A state championship and
extend to the players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for
continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.