Bill Text: MS SR66 | 2024 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Commend the Blue Mountain "Lady Cougars" Girls Basketball Team for winning first State Title.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-08 - Adopted [SR66 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2024-SR66-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Parks
Senate Resolution 66
(As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE BLUE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL "LADY COUGARS" GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH REGINA CHILLS UPON WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 1A GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, the Blue Mountain High School "Lady Cougars" Girls Basketball Team defeated Lumberton High School 38-36 at the Mississippi Coliseum in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 1A final on February 29, 2024, for their first State Title in their first appearance in a big-school final; and
WHEREAS, for most of this made-for-Hollywood season, the remarkable Blue Mountain Girls Basketball Team has been known as the Super Six. That's because for most of the season there were only six players, three with the last name of Foote; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Mountain "Lady Cougars" brought a 28-1 record into the Class 1A State Championship at the Mississippi Coliseum, known as the "Big House" throughout Mississippi high school basketball. Rarely, if ever, has there been a smaller team in the "Big House." About 800 folks live in Blue Mountain. There are 66 students, boys and girls combined, in Grades 7 through 12. The "Lady Cougars" play their home games on a gym floor that is roughly about three-quarters the size of a regulation basketball court; and
WHEREAS, now the town without a traffic light has one gleaming Gold Ball State Championship Trophy. Despite many scary moments, and a dogged effort from Lumberton, Blue Mountain prevailed 38-36 in a defensive struggle that turned into an offensive barn-burner in the fourth quarter; and
WHEREAS, as usual, only the original Super Six played for Blue Mountain, while two more youngsters, promoted from the junior high team late in the season, watched and cheered from the bench. The three Footes, Keyauna and her first cousins A'rare and Beiga, made play after play after play, especially in the fourth quarter. Baskets were cherished like rare gems through the first three quarters. Blue Mountain led 21-19 heading into the fourth quarter when both teams started scoring almost at will. Keyauna Foote scored three straight baskets to give the "Lady Cougars" a five-point lead midway through, but Lumberton fired back and kept firing back until Keyauna scored what proved to be the winning basket on an in-bounds play with 20 seconds left; and
WHEREAS, as is always the case in the Big House this time of the year, a wild celebration ensued. Of the 800 folks living in Blue Mountain, nearly all were present and dancing in the stands; and
WHEREAS, the Blue Mountain High School "Lady Cougars" Girls Championship Basketball Team Roster: Arare Foote, Beiga Foote, Kimberly Padilla, Precious Hall, Dynasty Prather, Keyuana Foote, Ahkeelah Lipsey and Iralyn Rakestraw; Head Coach Regina Chills; Assistant Coaches Mya Spight and Sydney Flake; and Managers Kyra Hudson and Riley Maree; 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 Blue Mountain High School "Lady Cougars" Girls Basketball Team and Coach Regina Chills upon winning the MHSAA Class 1A Girls Basketball State Championship, and extend to the team members, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Regina Chills and Blue Mountain High School Principal Lee Holt for the team, forwarded to the Tippah County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
