TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE NORTHWOOD ACADEMY GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2017 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Northwood Academy basketball team of Berkeley County took top honors at the state competition held at the Sumter Civic Center on Saturday, February 25, 2017; and

Whereas, amid the clamorous cheers of their exuberant fans, the Northwood Lady Chargers took their triple tiara in basketball by soundly defeating First Baptist School 50-38, and they finished the season with an impressive 23-6 record; and

Whereas, late in the first quarter of play, the First Baptist Lady Hurricanes had a 13-8 lead over Northwood, and they managed a 18-12 spread with less than five minutes remaining in the first half, but the Lady Chargers closed with a 12-0 run and went to the lockers for halftime with a 24-18 lead; and

Whereas, at the end of the third quarter, the Lady Chargers drove their lead to 36-26, and First Baptist responded by trimming the Northwood lead to 40-34 in the fourth quarter with less than five minutes left in the game; and

Whereas, Northwood senior Jailah Melvin, who played the game through an illness, made three free throws in the final minutes, and junior forward and standout Elysa Wesolek sent a pair of free throws through the hoop with less than a minute to play and led the Lady Chargers with a steady hand, posting eighteen points in the final game; and

Whereas, all season long, other teams in the association were gunning for the Lady Chargers, hoping to wrest the trophy from their grasp in this year's championship match, but Northwood responded to the challenge with its third consecutive state title; and

Whereas, in a sport that exacts accuracy and stamina, Head Coach Ginnell Curtis and her skilled coaching staff maximized their own experience and passion to build a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes to hit the backboards and press their opponents, lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the court; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the pride and recognition that the Northwood basketball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look to hear of their continued accomplishments 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 Northwood Academy girls varsity basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2017 South Carolina Independent School Association Class AAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Darlene Anderson, Principal of Northwood Academy, and to Coach Ginnell Curtis.