88R18743 CW-D
By: Meyer H.R. No. 626
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The boys' basketball team of Lake Highlands High
School closed out an unforgettable year by winning the 6A state
title at the 2023 University Interscholastic League Basketball
State Championships; and
WHEREAS, Lake Highlands began its journey to the title by
clinching the district crown with an unbeaten record against its
league rivals; the Wildcats then surged through the playoffs,
besting Arlington Bowie, Plano East, Arlington Martin, North
Crowley, and Byron Nelson High Schools to reach the state
tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio; a 52-44 semifinals win
over DeSoto High allowed Lake Highlands to punch its ticket to the
finale for the first time since 1968; and
WHEREAS, The March 11 state title game pitted No. 1 Lake
Highlands against No. 2 Beaumont United High School, the 5A state
champion for the past two seasons; after trailing 31-27 at
halftime, the Wildcats turned up the offensive heat to lead by five
points entering the fourth quarter; Lake Highlands then
demonstrated its strength down the stretch, unleashing an 11-2 run
to seal the outcome; emerging victorious by the final score of
55-44, the Wildcats claimed the second basketball state
championship in school history and ended the year with a 24-game
winning streak; and
WHEREAS, Most Valuable Player Tre Johnson paced Lake
Highlands with a game-high 29 points, and he was joined by Samson
Aletan on the 6A All-Tournament Team; over the course of their
campaign, the Wildcats also received vital contributions from the
other members of the roster: Jaylen Washington, Ila Jehl, Khaleel
Thomas, Quinton Perkins, Warren Hamilton, Chidi Umeh, Logan
Strayhan, Jaire Williams, Ethan Davis, Beck Johnstone, Lewis
Racine, Issaiah Tate, and Elias Dement; these talented
student-athletes were ably guided by head coach Joe Duffield and
assistant coaches Richard Johnson, Zac Haug, Dominique Kirk, and
Tre Stewart; and
WHEREAS, Winning a state championship represents the
culmination of countless hours of hard work and an unwavering
commitment to excellence, and the Lake Highlands Wildcats are a
source of great pride to their school and their many community
supporters; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Lake Highlands High School
boys' basketball team on winning the 2023 UIL 6A 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.