A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE GRAY COLLEGIATE academy GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2022 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Gray Collegiate basketball team of Lexington County won its first state championship at the USC Aiken Convocation Center on Saturday, March 4, 2023; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the Gray Collegiate Lady War Eagles defeated a competitive Bishop England High School 40-32 to capture the program's first state title.  Their victory was all the sweeter as the Grey Collegiate boys' team also took a state title, only the tenth time that boys' and girls' teams from the same school have won the state championship in the same year; and

Whereas, the Lady War Eagles scored the game's first eight points and led 10-2 after the first quarter.  By halftime, Gray Collegiate was leading 22-11 and had built the lead to as many as 14 points in the second quarter, thanks in part to a trio of three-pointers from Jordan Mintz; and

Whereas, after Bishop England rallied in the third quarter, cutting the lead to as few as three points, the Lady War Eagles regrouped at the start of the fourth quarter, making a concerted effort to get the ball into the hands of post players Maliyiah Mason and Kadence Walker-Lee; and

Whereas, after a hard-fought final period, Gray Collegiate ultimately captured the state trophy by a margin of eight points, with a combination of tough defense, nonstop hustle, and timely scoring; and

Whereas, leading the Lady War Eagles were Maliyiah Mason, who posted eight rebounds, two blocked shots, and three steals, and guard Jordan Mintz, both scoring eleven points.  Kadence Walker-Lee contributed nine points and secured seven rebounds, while Alyssa Woodlock had eight rebounds and three blocks, along with three points and two assists, and teammate Diamond Tatum added six points, and had two assists and three steals; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands strength, stamina, and accuracy, Head Coach Brandon Wallace, in his first year of coaching Gray Collegiate, and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic experience and training to hone a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the courts; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the pride and recognition that the Gray Collegiate basketball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued achievements 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 Gray Collegiate Academy girls varsity basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Class AA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Brian Newsome and Coach Brandon Wallace.

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