Bill Text: MS HC62 | 2026 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Laurel High School Lady Golden Tornadoes Basketball Team; commend on winning MHSAA Class 5A Championship.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2026-04-06 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC62 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-HC62-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Scott
House Concurrent Resolution 62
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL LADY GOLDEN TORNADOES BASKETBALL TEAM ON WINNING THE 2026 MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2026, the Laurel High School Girls Basketball Team reigned supreme when the Lady Golden Tornadoes handily defeated the Holmes County Central High School Lady Jaguars in the 2026 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State Championship, incredibly bringing home the team's second Golden Ball in the last three years; and
WHEREAS, while both teams showcased exemplary skill and determination during the championship battle on the hardwood, the Lady Golden Tornadoes took a commanding lead from the very start and never surrendered it, as the team's mental stamina and unimaginable amount of fortitude never waivered for a moment as they outlasted and overpowered the Lady Jaguars until the last buzzer sounded with the 52-26 final score on the board; and
WHEREAS, with the championship win culminating a 20-game winning streak, the 32-2 Lady Golden Tornadoes' success in capturing the state title, the team's third during Coach Sherri Cooley's time as head coach at Laurel, was powered by standout performances by Kayllis Walker, who finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, along with Jahyla Dubose, who added 15 points, eight rebounds and one block, and Gracelyn Carmichael, who chipped in six points; and
WHEREAS, beyond her athletic achievements, Gracelyn Carmichael, a senior guard for the Lady Golden Tornadoes, has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to academic excellence, resulting in her being recognized as Class 5A All-Academic; and
WHEREAS, while the state title for the Lady Golden Tornadoes is cause to celebrate, the championship game in the Mississippi Coliseum marked a bittersweet moment for the Laurel community as Coach Cooley had her last game where she hoped, "at the big house," before retiring from coaching after a remarkable 25-year career, six of which were as head coach at Laurel without a single losing record, to bravely fight the biggest battle of her life, breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, during the 2025-2026 season, the Laurel High School Lady Golden Tornadoes outscored their opponents 2,148-981 and finished as the Clarion Ledger's No. 2 team, and their success is attributable to the remarkable commitment and hard work of each of its talented student-athletes, including: Tatyionna Pittman, Jahyla Dubose, Karly Hunter, Sydney Ridgeway, Madisun McKenzie, Robyn Moore, Takaylen Dean, Autumn Mcgill, Gracelyn Carmichael, Kayllis Walker, Nahla Faulkner, Zykeria Evans and Khe'dasia Jackson, with the support of Team Manager Antwumya Dean; and
WHEREAS, in addition to Head Coach Sherri Cooley, the Lady Golden Tornadoes have been superbly coached and inspired by assistant coaches Shasta Husband, Kristie McKinley and Bianca Gully, who together have broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and
WHEREAS, the members of this team will forever carry the unforgettable memories they made along the way to their hard-earned championship status, as well as the lessons of hard work, dedication and perseverance learned during this amazing season; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence such as that displayed by the Laurel High School Lady Golden Tornadoes Basketball Team, and it is with great pride that we congratulate this elite group of student-athletes and Coach Sherri Cooley, who have brought honor to their families and school, the City of Laurel, and the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Laurel High School Lady Golden Tornadoes Basketball Team and Head Coach Sherri Cooley on winning the 2026 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State Championship and extend best wishes to the team for continued success in all their future athletic and academic endeavors. FURTHER, we do hereby offer our prayers and extend sincerest wishes to Coach Cooley for healing and the very best of health for years to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Laurel High School, Coach Sherri Cooley and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
