Senate Concurrent Resolution 641

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE VELMA JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL "FALCONS" BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AND THE CARLYLE AND WEATHERSPOON FAMILIES FOR WINNING THEIR FOURTH MHSAA CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN FIVE YEARS.

WHEREAS, for Velma Jackson High School's Head Coach Anthony Carlyle, State Championships are a family tradition. He grew up in the Coliseum watching his father, Archie Carlyle, win seven Championships on March 10, 2017. Archie was there to witness his son claim his fourth Title, defeating East Side 46-32. "Winning four Championships in five years is definitely the foundation of something great"; and

WHEREAS, while it has been a family tradition for the Carlyles to bring home Championships, there is another family in the Velma Jackson program who has made it their tradition as well. The Weatherspoons, Quinndary, Nik and now Brandon, have all won a State Title in the Falcon's uniform with Carlyle. It started with Quinndary, who became a Champion first in 2013. The following year, he was joined by younger brother Nik. Together they won back-to-back Titles. In 2016, Brandon came in as the oldest brother left to become a Bulldog at Mississippi State, but the team fell short; and

WHEREAS, bringing the 3A Championship back to the program is about a lot more than going out on a winning note for Nik Weatherspoon. He wanted to give younger brother Brandon what his older brother had given to him. He wanted to help him become a Champion; and

WHEREAS, heading into the final eight minutes neither team had scored 30 points, and Velma Jackson was up by just six points, 26-20. Then Nik Weatherspoon took over. He had six quick points and gave the Falcons a nine-point lead that they capitalized on. He finished the game with 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, two huge blocks and the player of the game proved for him and the rest of the Falcons' Team this Championship was a year in the making. There was no way they were not going home with the Gold Ball; and

WHEREAS, "This is the best one of the four," Coach Carlyle said. "We had to go through so much. You can find out about a person's true character and see the resiliency in this team by how they responded"; and,

WHEREAS, the Velma Jackson High School "Falcons" Boys Basketball Team Roster is: Mason Riley, PG; Robert Anderson, PG; Kiryne Jobe, SG; Brandon Weatherspoon, SF, SG; Robert Kendrick, PG, SG; Charles Smith, SF; Travius Brown, SG; David Brown, PF, V; Nikolas Weatherspoon, PG; Haven Ousley, PG; Carlton Beamon, PG; Leaveon Griffin, SG; Jamuel Brooks, SF; Demarion Jones, SG; André Lee, PF; and Antwain Dixon, PF; and Head Coach Anthony Carlyle; 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Velma Jackson High School "Falcons" Boys Basketball Team and the Carlyle and Witherspoon Families, and we extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for this team to carry on the winning tradition.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Anthony Carlyle and Velma Jackson, Jeff Mumford, Principal, forwarded to the Canton School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.