Bill Text: MS SR41 | 2024 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Congratulate Long Beach High School "Bearcats" Soccer Team for fourth-straight Class 6A State Championship.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-08 - Adopted [SR41 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2024-SR41-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Thompson
Senate Resolution 41
(As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LONG BEACH HIGH SCHOOL "BEARCATS" SOCCER TEAM AND COACH MATT DEFILLIPS FOR WINNING THEIR FOURTH-STRAIGHT MHSAA CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, the Long Beach "Bearcats" won their fourth-straight MHSAA State Championship with a 3-2 win over Center Hill in the 2024 6A State Tournament Championship on February 17 in Gluckstadt, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it came down to the very end, but Long Beach made history. Easton Van Norden scored off a free kick in the 79th minute to lift the "Bearcats" to a 3-2 win over Center Hill and hoist the golden ball for the fourth year in a row; and
WHEREAS, the "Bearcats" are the first team since Pearl (from 2005-2008) to win four consecutive state championships. This marked Long Beach's eighth straight trip to the championship game; and
WHEREAS, "it was a really hard-fought game by both sides," Long Beach Coach Matt DeFillips said. "We once again didn't make it easy. We've gone to overtime in a lot of our games and I'm glad and thankful it didn't. I got very lucky to inherit a really good program and we were fortunate to have a really good senior class, and they proved it by winning four state championships;" and
WHEREAS, Braiden Bonds, who was named the game's most valuable player, scored the first goal for Long Beach three minutes into the game off a shot that hit the cross bar. Bonds added his second goal of the game in the 68th minute on a rebound off a free kick to give Long Beach a 2-1 lead. With just over a minute left, Van Norden was fouled and his free kick's shot found the back of the net; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 "Bearcats" Championship roster is: Alan Long, Brysin Guillot, Tucker Elias, Easton Van Norden, Braiden Bonds, Alexander Mink, Luke Blackhurst, Landon Van Court, Addison Carroll, Jason Marshall, Cole Edwards, Clayton Smith, Daxus Arkin, Mason Watts, Collin Gonzales, Colton Dahl, Drew Dixon, Asher Stewart, Kaden Massey, Jack Cropper, Caleb Shaver, Mathieu Kayij-Wint, Landon Tyre, Gunnar Borden, Joaquin Aguirre and Jarin Shockley; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these 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 Long Beach "Bearcats" Soccer Team and Coach Matt DeFillips for winning their fourth-straight MHSAA Class 6A State Championship, and extend the best wishes of the Senate to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach DeFillips for the team, forwarded to Long Beach Principal Justin Sutton and the Board of Trustees of the Long Beach School District and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
