TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LAURENS ACADEMY GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2019 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Laurens Academy basketball team of Laurens County took top honors at the state competition held at the Sumter County Civic Center on Saturday, February 23, 2019; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the Laurens Crusaders defeated a seasoned Dorchester Academy with a substantial margin of 39-24, ending the season with a 29-3 record; and

Whereas, the only player from either school to post double digits in the championship game, Laurens' Ruthie Moore, scored 18 points, and she was named to the All-State-Tournament team, along with teammates Reagan Williamson and Jennifer Wu; and

Whereas, Reagan Williamson scored 9 points for Laurens, and teammates Blair Quarles put up 7, Jennifer Wu added 4, and Hannah Stribling made the record sheet with 1 point; and

Whereas, the first quarter had the two schools nearly tied with a 6-5 lead for the Dorchester Raiders, but by the time the teams took to the lockers for halftime, Laurens had pushed ahead 18-11; and

Whereas, in the third quarter the Crusaders posted 21 unanswered points, giving them an easy shot at two consecutive state titles; and

Whereas, although the Raiders took a lot of shots, they did not put away even thirteen percent of them, and the closest they came to Laurens in the second half was twelve points behind; and

Whereas, the Crusaders managed to outrebound the taller Raiders by a margin of 48-37, and the Raiders sent Laurens to the free-throw line for 24 shots, and the ball made the swish for 12 points; and

Whereas, in a sport that requires strength, agility, and accuracy, Head Coach Jason Marlett started coaching the seniors on the championship team in the sixth grade, and little by little, they learned a zone defense, which has become a point of pride for the Crusader team; and

Whereas. Coach Marlett and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic ability and training to build a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the court; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the respect and credit that the Laurens basketball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members expect to hear of their continued success in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Laurens Academy girls varsity basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2019 South Carolina Independent School Association Class 1A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Headmaster Todd Kirk and Coach Jason Marlett.